Cost of Living in
Levittown CDP, PA

The Levittown CDP Real Cost of Living Report (2026)

To live in Levittown CDP, Pennsylvania, a single income needs to clear $55,890 annually just to hit the median household average. That number is the floor, not the ceiling. It represents a baseline where the math roughly balances out against the Cost of Living Index of 103.5—only marginally above the national average of 100. However, relying on that index is a mistake. That figure is an aggregate that smooths over the jagged edges of local tax structures and the specific "Levittown" premium on homeownership. "Comfort" in this zip code doesn't mean luxury; it means having enough liquidity to absorb a $311,000 median home price without being house-poor, while navigating a tax environment that aggressively extracts value from your paycheck and property.

The Big Items

Housing is the primary lever on your finances here, and the market is currently a rigged game. The median home price sits at $311,000, a figure that signals a distinct shift from the "affordable suburb" label Levittown historically carried. For a buyer putting 20% down ($62,200), the mortgage principal and interest alone hover around $1,900 per month at current rates. But that is the "sticker price" lie. The real cost of buying is the trap of the escrow account. In Pennsylvania, property taxes are the killer. Expect to pay roughly 1.8% to 2.2% of the assessed value annually. On a $311,000 home, that is $5,598 to $6,842 a year, or an additional $466 to $570 monthly tacked onto your mortgage payment before you even pay for electricity. Renting, while theoretically a hedge against maintenance costs, is opaque in the CDP due to a lack of large-scale luxury complexes. Most rentals are "mom-and-pop" units where the landlord passes through every conceivable tax hike to the tenant. The local rental market is heating up because the barrier to entry for buying—specifically the cash needed for the down payment and closing costs—is pushing potential buyers into the rental pool, driving up competition and suppressing vacancy rates.

Taxes are where Levittown residents get nickel-and-dimed into financial fatigue. Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate of 3.07%, which looks deceptively low until you factor in the local wage tax. Levittown is split across multiple municipalities (Bristol Township, Middletown, etc.), but the local earned income tax rate typically adds another 1.0% to 1.5%. This brings your total effective income tax burden on a $55,890 salary to roughly 4.5% before federal taxes. That is roughly $2,500 a year vanishing strictly to state and local coffers. Furthermore, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that taxes retirement income (pensions, 401k withdrawals) at 3.07%, which is a massive "gotcha" for anyone planning to retire here. The tax bite is relentless; it hits your income, it hits your property, and it will eventually hit your retirement savings.

Groceries and gas show a mixed bag, but don't expect a steal. The cost of food in the Philadelphia metro area generally tracks 5% to 8% above the national average. A standard run to the local Giant or Acme for a family of four will sting; expect to pay roughly $150 to $200 for a week's worth of staples, compared to $130 to $160 in cheaper regions. Gas prices in Bucks County are historically volatile. You will rarely see prices below the national average. Expect to pay a premium of $0.15 to $0.30 per gallon compared to the Midwest or South. With Pennsylvania's gas tax being one of the highest in the nation, filling up a standard 15-gallon tank will cost you an extra $4.50 every time you visit the pump compared to the national baseline. This constant friction cost adds up to hundreds of dollars annually for commuters.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs

Living in Levittown requires a "stupidity tax" budget for things you didn't plan for. If you work in Philadelphia or New Jersey, the commute will bleed you dry. The toll bridges and tunnels (specifically the Delaware River Port Authority crossings) cost roughly $5.00 to $6.00 per crossing with an E-ZPass. Doing that round-trip five times a week is a $100+ monthly bleed before you even count gas or parking. Parking in the CDP itself is generally free, but if you venture into the city or surrounding dense areas, expect to pay $15 to $30 for a few hours.

Homeownership brings specific insurance burdens. While flood insurance isn't mandatory everywhere, large swaths of the CDP sit in flood zones. If you are in a designated zone, add $800 to $2,000 annually to your budget. Homeowners insurance rates in Pennsylvania have spiked due to weather events, averaging $1,200 to $1,500 annually for a median-priced home. If you own a condo or a home in a developing area, HOA fees are the silent killer. They range from $150 to $300 monthly, rarely covering much beyond landscaping, yet they are mandatory and non-negotiable. These fees are the definition of "nickel and dime"—they rarely provide a tangible return on investment but are legally required to be paid.

Lifestyle Inflation

The "comfortable" lifestyle is expensive because the amenities are priced for the Philadelphia metro area, not the rural South. A night out is a prime example. A "Moderate" lifestyle dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant (think Applebee's or a local pub) with a tip will run you $80 to $100. If you want a nice dinner, you are easily looking at $150+. Coffee culture is rampant; a standard latte at a local independent shop is $5.00 to $5.50. A monthly gym membership at a decent facility like the YMCA or a private club is $45 to $65 per person. If you have kids, the extracurricular nickel-and-diming is relentless: travel sports, dance classes, and summer camps easily cost $1,000+ per child per season. These aren't luxuries; in Levittown, they are the baseline cost of keeping your children occupied and competitive.

Salary Scenarios

The following table outlines the income required to maintain specific lifestyles in Levittown CDP. Note that the "Single Income" assumes one earner supporting the household, while "Family Income" assumes a dual-income household with children.

Frugal Analysis: To survive on $45,000 as a single person, you are likely renting a room or a small 1BR unit and driving a paid-off car. You are avoiding toll roads, eating mostly home-cooked meals, and contributing minimally to retirement (likely just the employer match). You are essentially living paycheck to paycheck with zero margin for error. For a family on $75,000, this is a precarious existence requiring strict budgeting, reliance on public schools (which vary in quality), and zero extracurriculars. You are likely priced out of the median home market and renting a 2BR apartment at a premium.

Moderate Analysis: At $65,000 single income, you can afford a 1BR apartment or a modest 2BR condo, provided you have low debt. You can own a reliable vehicle and pay the tolls if necessary, but you are still watching the grocery bill closely. You can save for retirement, but you likely cannot max out your IRA. For a family earning $110,000, this is the "keeping up" zone. You can afford the median $311,000 home, but the mortgage plus taxes will consume roughly 35% of your take-home pay. You can manage one car payment and maybe a vacation, but a second car payment or expensive hobbies will break the budget.

Comfortable Analysis: This is where you stop worrying about the electric bill fluctuating. A single earner making $85,000 can comfortably afford the median home with a 20% down payment, maintain an emergency fund, and max out a Roth IRA. You can absorb the $6.00 bridge tolls without blinking and eat out a few times a week. For a family earning $140,000, you have breathing room. You can likely afford two reliable cars, save aggressively for college, and handle the $1,200+ annual sports fees. You are insulated from the "gotcha" costs, though the tax burden still stings. You aren't wealthy, but you are financially secure.