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Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Cost of living in Carbon County, PA

Part of the Allentown Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,227/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 65,191 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,213 38%
Federal tax $508 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $341 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $205 6%
State tax $105 3%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Carbon County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,033
per month
1 bedroom
$1,213
per month
2 bedroom
$1,507
per month
3 bedroom
$1,924
per month
4 bedroom
$2,005
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Carbon County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,877
per year
Individual earnings
$41,135
per year
Per capita
$36,380
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Carbon County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$193,700
Annual property tax
$2,914

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Carbon County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Carbon County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Carbon County

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Carbon County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
32.2 min
Drive alone
80.0%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
7.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Carbon County

What it costs to live in Carbon County each month.

Single person
$3,227
per month
  • Rent $1,213
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $508
  • State tax $105
Couple
$4,622
per month
  • Rent $1,507
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $781
  • State tax $174
Family
$7,189
per month
  • Rent $1,924
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $781
  • State tax $174

Frequently asked questions about Carbon County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Carbon County?

In Carbon County, PA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,213 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,507 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,924 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Carbon County?

In Carbon County, PA, the average household income is $67,877 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,135 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Carbon County?

The estimated cost of living in Carbon County, PA is approximately $3,227 per month for a single person, $4,622 for a couple, $7,189 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Carbon County?

The combined sales tax rate in Carbon County, PA is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is Carbon County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Carbon County, PA would need approximately $3,227 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,877 per year ($5,656 per month). Carbon County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Carbon County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Carbon County, PA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Carbon County?

The average home value in Carbon County, PA is $193,700, with average annual property taxes of $2,914, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Carbon County compare to other areas?

You can compare Carbon County, PA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Carbon County is in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare Carbon County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources