Pennsylvania Has One of the Most Affordable Cities to Buy a House
Owning a home is part of the American Dream. But, home costs have been high in the US for years now. So, you probably want to get the best bang…
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Owning a home is part of the American Dream. But, home costs have been high in the US for years now. So, you probably want to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to buying a home. Of course. I definitely have a dream of buying a home someday. So, I always like to keep up on which areas have the best rates. Well, Pennsylvania has the most affordable cities to buy a house in America.
The new study is from HomeBuyer.com. So, what makes a home affordable? They explain that it has to do with the home's cost, mortgage, sales price, down payment amount, and current mortgage rates. Then, the next biggest factor for an affordable home, which I think some people overlook sometimes, is property taxes. "Property taxes vary by county and municipality, ranging from an annual cost of 1 percent of a home's value to five percent," HomeBuyer.com states. Also, "the third-largest component of home affordability is the cost of transportation, which includes commuting to work, the availability of public transit, and taxes on gas and electricity for people who live there." Finally, the cost of homeowners insurance and other insurance is also a factor.
As for methodology, "The Homebuyer.com research group built an algorithm that digests public and private homeowner data and calculates the relative cost of homeownership throughout the United States. We used the algorithm to find the most affordable cities for U.S. home buyers from the 800 largest Census-recognized cities."
So, let's get to it. Which Pennsylvania town is one of most affordable cities to buy a house in America? I have to say that we're a bit pricey, because our top city is No. 75 on the list with Harrisburg. No other Pennsylvania cities are above it. The No. 1 most affordable city to buy a house in America in Macon, Georgia. So, if you want a deal, pack your bags. Find the full list of cities here.
It's almost a New Year, and that means it's time to make those New Year's Resolutions and start looking to the future. It's also time to look at what new laws will be going into effect in Pennsylvania. Now, it's worth noting that not all new laws always go into effect on Jan. 1. Throughout the year, plenty of new laws have snuck their way into our lives. But, most major new laws do seem to roll out on Jan. 1, and this year is no exception.
There's one law that isn't changing this year, which I'm going to address, because people often ask about it. The minimum wage will remain at its rate of $7.25 in Pennsylvania, as no change from 2023 has been announced. According to Paycor.com, "While some states are on a schedule for annual increases to eventually reach $15 an hour, others still adhere to the federal minimum. Although the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 has not budged since 2009, more than 20 states have provided additional increases in 2024." Meanwhile, more than 20 states have announced minimum wage increases for 2024. In the majority of these states, the minimum wage is scheduled to increase on Jan. 1, 2024.
Two nearby states have actually passed legislation to reach a $15 minimum wage between 2025 and 2026. Those states are Delaware (2025) and New Jersey (2024). Other states that have passed legislation for a $15 minimum wage include Florida (2026), Illinois (2025), Maryland (2025), New York state (2025) and Rhode Island (2025). Also, according to Paycor.com, "The state with the highest minimum wage in 2024 is Washington, at $16.28. If Washington, D.C. were a state, it would have the highest minimum wage at $17.00."
Enough about the minimum wage. Let's get to the laws that are changing in Pennsylvania in 2024. We have five of them. Depending on your lifestyle, these could directly impact you, so read on to ensure you're staying legal.
Pennsylvania Laws Going Into Effect on January 1, 2024:
Preferred Organic Program Trademark
I love a good local farm, especially when it comes to their fresh food. This bill helps farmers identify which items are from them grocery stores. Items that have the PA Preferred Organic brand "will give consumers confidence they are getting a quality product that meets the high standards they expect."
Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force
Ever been in a flood? This bill is for you. Well, if you have a future flood, at least. This bill will help homeowners obtain flood insurance, which is mandatory by the state.
Enforcement of Failure to Stop for School Bus With Flashing Red Lights, Imposing a Penalty and Editorial Change
Keep those kiddies safe. This bill will "extend and revamp the school bus stop arm automated enforcement program." It's all in an effort for increased safety.
Military Personnel - Residency Status for Students
This one helps our beloved military. This bill gives limited residency to people stationed at a military outpost in Pennsylvania.
Dog Law - Omnibus Amendments
Dog lovers, unite. This bill changes to the state dog law. For those who want a dog, this new bill alters how licenses are issued, kennel rules and penalties against violators. Keep those dogs safe.
