View of Northumberland, Pennsylvania 1 · Jakec / CC BY-SA 4.0Priestley House Front 2 · User:Ruhrfisch / CC BY-SA 3.0View of Northumberland, Pennsylvania 2 · Jakec / CC BY-SA 4.0Northumberland · Desguru / Public domain
Northumberland is a small town of 3,892 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $56,964
and a 1.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Northumberland stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Northumberland is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Northumberland 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: 94.3
Northumberland's overall cost of living index is 94.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Northumberland costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Northumberland, PA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$152,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$890
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
68.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$56,964
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Northumberland's violent crime rate is 157.2 per 100,000 residents
— 59% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
157.2 /100k
Property Crime
1100.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Northumberland is served primarily by Shikellamy SD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.8:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Northumberland, PA
National Avg
School District
Shikellamy SD
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Northumberland sees average highs of 35.3°F in January
and 84.4°F in July,
with 43.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 28.6 inches of snow per year.
Northumberland's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Northumberland roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $152,600 and median rent is $890/month.
Northumberland's violent crime rate is 157.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1100.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Northumberland are operated by Shikellamy SD.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.8:1. 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Northumberland, PA has a population of 3,892, a median household income of $56,964, and an unemployment rate of 1.4%.
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.
Northumberland averages 35.3°F in January and 84.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 43.7 inches
with about 28.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Northumberland, PA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 17857.
The population of Northumberland, Pennsylvania is 3,892 with a median age of 42.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Northumberland: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $152,600, median household income $56,964, crime index 46 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Northumberland side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
