Bradford is a small town of 7,847 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $47,917
and a 5.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bradford stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bradford is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bradford city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 88.9
Bradford's overall cost of living index is 88.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bradford costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bradford, PA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$69,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$735
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,917
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Bradford's violent crime rate is 843.3 per 100,000 residents
— 122% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
843.3 /100k
Property Crime
2703.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bradford is served primarily by Bradford Area SD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bradford, PA
National Avg
School District
Bradford Area SD
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
18.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bradford sees average highs of 30.6°F in January
and 79.1°F in July,
with 49.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 75.2 inches of snow per year.
Bradford's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bradford roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $69,700 and median rent is $735/month.
Bradford's violent crime rate is 843.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2703.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bradford are operated by Bradford Area SD.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 18.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bradford, PA has a population of 7,847, a median household income of $47,917, and an unemployment rate of 5.3%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bradford averages 30.6°F in January and 79.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.6 inches
with about 75.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bradford, PA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 16701.
The population of Bradford, Pennsylvania is 7,847 with a median age of 38.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bradford: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $69,700, median household income $47,917, crime index 185 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bradford side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.