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Lancaster, PA

Cost of living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster County, PA

Part of the Lancaster Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,169/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 555,151 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,106 35%
Federal tax $550 17%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $341 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $205 6%
State tax $112 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Lancaster

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$986
per month
1 bedroom
$1,106
per month
2 bedroom
$1,393
per month
3 bedroom
$1,820
per month
4 bedroom
$1,847
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lancaster

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$83,703
per year
Individual earnings
$43,705
per year
Per capita
$41,319
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lancaster

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$279,400
Annual property tax
$3,941

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lancaster

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 Lancaster

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.0%

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 Lancaster

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 Lancaster

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.0 min
Drive alone
73.3%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
10.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lancaster

What it costs to live in Lancaster each month.

Single person
$3,169
per month
  • Rent $1,106
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $550
  • State tax $112
Couple
$4,807
per month
  • Rent $1,393
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,040
  • State tax $214
Family
$7,384
per month
  • Rent $1,820
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,040
  • State tax $214

Frequently asked questions about Lancaster

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lancaster?

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,106 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,393 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,820 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lancaster?

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the average household income is $83,703 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,705 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lancaster?

The estimated cost of living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is approximately $3,169 per month for a single person, $4,807 for a couple, $7,384 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lancaster?

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

Is Lancaster an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lancaster, Pennsylvania would need approximately $3,169 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $83,703 per year ($6,975 per month). Lancaster is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Lancaster?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lancaster?

The average home value in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is $279,400, with average annual property taxes of $3,941, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lancaster compare to other areas?

You can compare Lancaster, Pennsylvania with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lancaster is in the Lancaster, PA 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 Lancaster 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