Cambria County

Pennsylvania · PA

#27 in Pennsylvania
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Cambria County, Pennsylvania

Strong Performance on Value Proposition

Cambria County's composite score of 69.7 ranks it nearly 20 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, making it more livable than roughly four out of five American counties. This exceptional score is driven primarily by remarkable housing affordability.

Second-Best County in Pennsylvania

At 69.7, Cambria County edges above Pennsylvania's 66.0 state average by 3.7 points and ranks second among the eight profiled counties. It's one of the state's strongest performers on overall livability metrics available.

Housing Costs Rarely Seen in America

Cambria County's cost score of 84.7 is exceptional, reflecting a median home value of just $115,900 and monthly rent of $733—among the lowest in the nation. Paired with a tax score of 66.2, this creates extraordinary affordability for any income level.

Economic Opportunity Limited by Income Levels

The county's income score of only 20.1 and median household income of $56,292 signal limited local earning potential and economic dynamism. Residents may need to commute or telecommute for higher-wage opportunities.

Retirees and Remote Workers Seeking Stability

Cambria County is perfect for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families who've already built wealth but prioritize low cost of living. It offers unmatched housing affordability for those whose income doesn't depend on local job markets.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax66.2Cost84.7SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.1Risk23.6WaterComing Soon
🏛66.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼20.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
23.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Cambria County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cambria County

via TaxByCounty

Low tax rate, low home values

Cambria County's effective tax rate of 1.283% sits slightly above the national median of 1.09%, but its median property tax of just $1,487 falls well below the national median of $2,690. This apparent paradox reflects Cambria's much lower median home value of $115,900 compared to the national average of $281,900.

Slightly above Pennsylvania's average rate

Cambria ranks near the middle of Pennsylvania counties by effective tax rate, slightly exceeding the state average of 1.317%. With a median tax of $1,487 versus the state median of $2,657, Cambria residents enjoy one of the state's lighter tax bills in absolute dollars.

Lower taxes than Indiana and Somerset

Cambria's 1.283% rate falls between Cameron County (1.667%) and Centre County (1.065%), though comparisons are complicated by the region's wide range of home values. As a lower-value county, Cambria's dollar burden remains modest despite a middle-range effective rate.

Median annual bill around $1,487

On Cambria's median home value of $115,900, the 1.283% rate translates to an estimated annual property tax of $1,487. This is among the lowest dollar amounts in the state, reflecting both the county's moderate rate and its lower-priced housing market.

Assessment appeals worth pursuing despite modest bills

Even in a lower-tax county like Cambria, overassessments are common and may result in unnecessary payments. Filing a free appeal with your assessor is still worthwhile to ensure your home is valued fairly relative to recent sales.

Cost of Living in Cambria County

via CostByCounty

Cambria offers exceptional affordability

At 15.6% of income spent on rent, Cambria County residents enjoy affordability slightly better than the national average of 16.5%, though incomes here lag the national median by 25%. The county's $733 median rent represents one of Pennsylvania's true bargains for cost-conscious renters.

Among Pennsylvania's most affordable

Cambria ranks favorably on Pennsylvania's affordability scale with a 15.6% rent-to-income ratio and median rent of $733—24% below the state average of $960. This exceptional value makes Cambria attractive to budget-first relocators despite lower wages statewide.

Rural advantage over broader region

Cambria's $733 rent rivals Clarion County ($785) and beats all suburban counties significantly—Butler at $1,018, Carbon at $975, Centre at $1,181. The tradeoff: limited job growth and lower median income ($56,292) compared to these regional peers.

Housing eats modest Cambria income

Renters spend $733 monthly (15.6%) and homeowners $699 (14.9%) on housing costs against the $56,292 median income. While percentages look reasonable, the absolute income level leaves less discretionary funding than wealthier Pennsylvania counties.

Cambria rewards remote workers and retirees

Move to Cambria if you can earn income outside the local job market—remote work, retirement, or relocation assistance makes the $733 rent and $115,900 home prices extraordinarily attractive. Budget carefully if you depend on local employment, where wages remain below county and state medians.

Income & Jobs in Cambria County

via IncomeByCounty

Cambria trails the nation significantly

Cambria County's median household income of $56,292 falls 25% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-income quartile nationally. This coal-belt county reflects the economic challenges facing post-industrial Appalachia, where decades of mining decline continues to shape household earnings.

Below-average in Pennsylvania

Cambria County ranks in the lower half of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with a median household income of $56,292—$13,322 below the state average of $69,614. The county's income gap widens when compared to prosperous suburban counties like Chester and Bucks.

Stronger than nearby Cameron

Cambria County's $56,292 median income exceeds nearby Cameron County ($47,681) by $8,611, though both face economic headwinds in Appalachian Pennsylvania. Cambria's slightly higher earnings reflect a somewhat larger and more diversified job base than its smaller, more rural neighbor.

Housing remains affordable but tight

Cambria County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio stays below the 30% affordability threshold, with a median home value of just $115,900. While housing is affordable, the lower median income of $56,292 limits household savings capacity and long-term wealth accumulation.

Strategic saving builds resilience

Cambria County's median income of $56,292 requires disciplined budgeting to build savings; aim to set aside 5-10% of income for emergencies and retirement accounts. Focus on low-cost index funds, maximize any available employer retirement benefits, and explore local financial counseling to optimize limited resources.

Health in Cambria County

via HealthByCounty

Cambria's health significantly lags nationally

At 74.6 years, Cambria County's life expectancy falls 1.8 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.3%) report poor or fair health—well above the national norm—indicating serious wellness challenges.

Struggling against Pennsylvania averages

Cambria County's 74.6-year life expectancy lags the state average of 76.4 years by 1.8 years, ranking it among Pennsylvania's lower-performing counties. The 19.3% poor/fair health rate signals persistent health burdens in the community.

Struggles match regional challenges

Cambria County ties Carbon County (74.5 years) and Clarion County (74.9 years) in the region's lowest life expectancy tier, all falling 5+ years short of Chester and Centre counties. These adjacent counties face similar economic and healthcare access pressures.

Adequate coverage, modest provider gaps

Cambria's 5.1% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 7.0%, suggesting reasonable insurance access. However, 70 primary care providers per 100,000 people trails higher-performing counties, and 242 mental health providers per 100,000 reflect limited mental health capacity.

Enroll now and get connected to care

If uninsured or underinsured, Cambria residents should act quickly—5.1% remain uncovered, and mental health resources are tight. Apply for coverage at www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596; then work with your provider to find mental health support in your area.

Disaster Risk in Cambria County

via RiskByCounty

Cambria faces moderate natural disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 76.43, Cambria County rates as relatively low—just above Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This positions the county in a moderate risk band where preparedness is important but not dire.

Mid-range risk among Pennsylvania counties

Cambria County ranks in the middle group of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall disaster risk. It sits between higher-risk counties to the east and lower-risk counties to the north and west.

Similar risk to nearby counties

Cambria's 76.43 score is comparable to Butler County (79.26) and Centre County (67.97), indicating this region shares consistent moderate-risk exposure. Carbon County (59.41) to the northeast shows notably lower risk.

Flooding and hurricanes matter most

Cambria County's flood risk of 85.72 and hurricane risk of 76.22 are its two dominant hazard threats. While tornado risk (63.87) and earthquake risk (60.62) remain elevated, water-related disasters pose the most practical concern for residents.

Flood and wind insurance are crucial

Cambria's flood risk score of 85.72 makes standalone flood insurance a must, and its hurricane risk of 76.22 means ensuring strong wind coverage in your homeowners policy. Review roof condition and storm sheltering options before severe weather season.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.