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MarketsPennsylvaniaSunburyCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Sunbury, PA

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Sunbury, PA

Cap Rate
4.11%
Median Price
$165K
Rent/Mo
$920
1% Rule
0.56%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Sunbury's price-to-income ratio is 3.5x — homes cost 3.5 times the local median household income of $47,800. This is very affordable. Homes are well within reach of local workers, which can mean a smaller renter pool but also a healthier, more stable market. Rental demand comes from those who choose to rent rather than those priced out of buying.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Sunbury (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,097/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,342. The median rent of $920/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Sunbury is $47,800, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% per year. Sunbury is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Sunbury is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Sunbury Compares

Sunbury vs Pennsylvania state average and national average across key investment metrics. Sunbury outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.

Metric
Sunbury
Pennsylvania Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
4.11%
3.81%
3.81%
Median Price
$165K
$244K
$333K
Median Rent
$920
$1,250
$1,524
Property Tax
1.38%
1.38%
1.08%
Vacancy
6%
6%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Northeast Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Sunbury, PA
4.1%
$165K
$920
1.38%
Jamestown, NY
3.8%
$165K
$930
1.71%
Meadville, PA
3.0%
$165K
$760
1.38%
Altoona, PA
4.2%
$170K
$960
1.38%
Corning, NY
6.5%
$160K
$1,280
1.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunbury affordable for renters?
Renters in Sunbury spend approximately 23% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $47,800, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Sunbury?
Sunbury's price-to-income ratio is 3.5x, meaning homes cost 3.5 times the local median income. This is very affordable — below the 4x threshold that typically signals a healthy buyer's market.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Sunbury?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $165K home is approximately $878/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,123/mo. The median rent of $920/mo is less than the cost of buying — this parity means some renters could transition to buying.
How does Sunbury's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Sunbury ($165K) are 51% below the national average. Rents ($920/mo) are 40% below average. Property taxes (1.38%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Sunbury Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Sunbury & Related Markets

More Sunbury Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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