Below Average CostNear National AverageNew Kensington-Arnold SD
New Kensington, Pennsylvania (8483279988) · Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0New Kensington, Pennsylvania (8482192537) · Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0Parnassus PA Presby PHS445 · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainThaddeus M. Fowler - New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania 1896 · Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler / Adam Cuerden / Public domain
New Kensington is a small city of 12,163 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $47,015
and a 7.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
New Kensington stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether New Kensington is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All New Kensington 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: 94.4
New Kensington's overall cost of living index is 94.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in New Kensington costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
New Kensington, PA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$116,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$693
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,015
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
New Kensington's violent crime rate is 456.4 per 100,000 residents
— 20% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
456.4 /100k
Property Crime
2400.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
New Kensington is served primarily by New Kensington-Arnold SD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
New Kensington, PA
National Avg
School District
New Kensington-Arnold SD
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
New Kensington sees average highs of 36.5°F in January
and 83.4°F in July,
with 42.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 25.0 inches of snow per year.
New Kensington's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes New Kensington roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $116,300 and median rent is $693/month.
New Kensington's violent crime rate is 456.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2400.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in New Kensington are operated by New Kensington-Arnold SD.
The district has 3 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 21.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
New Kensington, PA has a population of 12,163, a median household income of $47,015, and an unemployment rate of 7.0%.
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.
New Kensington averages 36.5°F in January and 83.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.2 inches
with about 25.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of New Kensington, Pennsylvania is 12,163 with a median age of 47.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in New Kensington: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $116,300, median household income $47,015, crime index 118 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare New Kensington side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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