Rows tagged local are specific to Emmaus (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: 7/10 (district East Penn SD · 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
$80,625
local
#1752 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$41,281
local
#2010 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
41.4 years
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
32.7%
metro-area
#108 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
10.4%
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
69.5%
metro-area
#51 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.96%
local
#1052 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.5%
local
#1803 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$232,900
local
#860 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.9×
local
#623 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.0%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$133
local
#976 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,750 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,229
local
#1060 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)
10.6%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.34%
state
#32 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.07%
Capital gains tax
3.07%
state
#53 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.88%
local
#2709 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$4,391
local
#1952 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.1 years
metro-area
#62 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,000
state
#129 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
6.5%
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
81
metro-area
#80 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$65
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
24 min
local
#1002 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
76.0%
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
37.2%
metro-area
#146 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.5¢/kWh
state
#147 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.55/gal
state
#150 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#167 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#14 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#8 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
88.2 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
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
Homes with air conditioning (state)
91%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
12
metro-area
#54 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
-778
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
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)
390
state
#91 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,400
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)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
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.