Rows tagged local are specific to Phillipsburg (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Allentown, PA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Phillipsburg School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
98.9
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.2
metro-area
#137 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.63
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Median household income
$64,130
local
#2441 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$41,724
local
#1952 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
8.42%
local
#2908 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+4.6%
local
#1351 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$157,500
local
#292 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.5×
local
#244 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.0%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$83
local
#275 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,120
local
#731 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,938
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
13.2%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.60%
state
#32 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
10.75%
Capital gains tax
10.75%
state
#53 of 200 metros
High earners
10.75% top rate on income over $1M
Effective property tax rate
3.12%
local
#3183 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$4,917
local
#2168 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,600
state
#129 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$13,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$85
state
#29 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
29 min
local
#2078 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
23.5¢/kWh
state
#147 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$212
state
#141 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.25/gal
state
#150 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$86
state
#167 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$171
state
#14 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#8 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
41
metro-area
#50 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
800
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
44.1"
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
30.0"
metro-area
#146 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
200
state
#91 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,300
state
#11 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Very difficult; long timelines
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.