1st Advantage MortgageIn Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the typical household earns $114,764 a year and the typical rent is $1,605. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Pennsylvania license first.
On this page
- Bucks County by the numbers
- Bucks County at the extremes
- What Bucks County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in Bucks County
- What it costs to live in Bucks County
- Levittown and the rest of Bucks County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Bucks County demographics against Pennsylvania
- Before borrowing in Bucks County
- $9,564 a month: the Bucks County median budget
- Lender oversight for Bucks County
- Steps before you apply in Bucks County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Bucks County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Bucks County's population at 647,461; only 3 of Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas are larger. Bucks County spans 604 square miles; with 647,461 people, that is 1,071.2 per square mile. Bucks County counts toward the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD include it. Of the 40 Census places inside Bucks County, Levittown leads by population with about 50,926; 22 of the 40 are incorporated.
Bucks County at the extremes
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Bucks County sits near the top of Pennsylvania at 56%, 2nd highest of 67. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- On median household income, Bucks County sits near the top of Pennsylvania at $114,764, 2nd highest of 67. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
- Bucks County ranks 2nd lowest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for the housing vacancy rate: 3%, against 9% statewide. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
What Bucks County households earn
$114,764 is the median household income for Bucks County, set against $77,971 for Pennsylvania.
| Households earning | Bucks County | +/- vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 12.4% | -9.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 31.3% | -7.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.2% | +6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 23.2% | +11.4 pts |
Six-figure households (56%) outnumber those under $35,000 (12%) in Bucks County. Poverty rate, Bucks County: 6.1%; Pennsylvania: 11.7%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.447 here. For a borrower in Bucks County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in Bucks County
Education and health care (25%), professional and administrative services (14%) and manufacturing (12%) lead Bucks County's job mix. Compared with Pennsylvania, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (14% against 11%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 24% of Bucks County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 22% need 45 or more.
| Sector | Bucks County | Compared with Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | -1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.4% | +3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | -0.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | +0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What it costs to live in Bucks County
Bucks County rent at the median: $1,605 a month, utilities in ($1,209 in Pennsylvania). By the Census definition, 48% of Bucks County renters are cost-burdened. Bucks County homes are worth $445,700 at the median, a 3.9-to-1 ratio to income. Owners occupy 78% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1975. Nationally, Bucks County's $1,605 rent is 83% above the middle county.
| Housing | Bucks County | Pennsylvania statewide | Bucks County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 78% | 69% | +8.5 pts |
| Median home value | $445,700 | $254,500 | 75% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,605/mo | $1,209/mo | 33% higher |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% | 3.5% | -1.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | +1.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | -0.3 pts |
With 78% of Bucks County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Levittown and the rest of Bucks County
203,618 of Bucks County's 647,461 residents live in its 40 Census places (31%); the 14 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $192,519 at the median in Churchville, $53,472 in Warminster Heights. Rent is cheapest in Warminster Heights ($805) and steepest in Woodbourne ($2,679). From Levittown to the smallest crossroads, Bucks County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levittown | CDP | 50,926 | $105,071 | $1,556 | 19 mi |
| Bristol | borough | 9,902 | $76,042 | $1,409 | 21 mi |
| Morrisville | borough | 9,752 | $99,526 | $1,044 | 19 mi |
| Croydon | CDP | 9,684 | $70,308 | $1,312 | 20 mi |
| Quakertown | borough | 9,319 | $85,959 | $1,321 | 14 mi |
| Perkasie | borough | 9,216 | $93,845 | $1,204 | 10 mi |
| Fairless Hills | CDP | 8,827 | $80,807 | $1,366 | 17 mi |
| Doylestown | borough | 8,341 | $99,322 | $1,791 | 2 mi |
| Richboro | CDP | 6,963 | $159,007 | $2,025 | 10 mi |
| Newtown Grant | CDP | 6,193 | $168,750 | $2,479 | 10 mi |
| Churchville | CDP | 6,084 | $192,519 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Brittany Farms-The Highlands | CDP | 4,571 | $111,875 | $1,852 | 7 mi |
| Sellersville | borough | 4,542 | $95,022 | $1,378 | 11 mi |
| Chalfont | borough | 4,346 | $124,485 | $1,913 | 6 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Montgomery County is closest, 16 miles from center to center; the sixth, Northampton County, is 31 miles off. Hunterdon County leads the group on income ($141,715), Philadelphia County trails ($61,953), and Bucks County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in New Jersey. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Bucks County resident follows Pennsylvania rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks County | - | $114,764 | $1,605/mo | 78% |
| Montgomery County, PA | 16 mi | $113,915 | $1,683/mo | 71% |
| Hunterdon County, NJ | 19 mi | $141,715 | $1,687/mo | 85% |
| Mercer County, NJ | 22 mi | $100,645 | $1,623/mo | 62% |
| Philadelphia County, PA | 23 mi | $61,953 | $1,397/mo | 52% |
| Somerset County, NJ | 30 mi | $140,374 | $2,033/mo | 74% |
| Northampton County, PA | 31 mi | $89,184 | $1,395/mo | 71% |
Bucks County demographics against Pennsylvania
45% of Bucks County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Bucks County | vs Pennsylvania | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 44.8% | +9.6 pts | +22.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | -5.6 pts | -7.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | -5.6 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Work from home | 19.6% | +4.0 pts | +10.9 pts |
| Median age | 44.2 | +3.3 yrs | +2.7 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 5.0% | -2.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | -1.7 pts | -3.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -0.9 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Commute length | Bucks County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.4% |
Before borrowing in Bucks County
Bucks County-specific points to check:
- Car trouble. For Bucks County drivers (22% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- 56% at $100,000+. Good credit gets more offers in Bucks County; use that to compare, not to borrow more.
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
$9,564 a month: the Bucks County median budget
Bucks County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $9,564 gross per month ($114,764 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,605, takes 17% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,838 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Bucks County's.
Lender oversight for Bucks County
Consumer lenders serving Bucks County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Pennsylvania that is the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Steps before you apply in Bucks County
Quick steps for Bucks County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Pennsylvania.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
Next step up from Bucks County:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Bucks County household make?
About $114,764 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 47% above the Pennsylvania median.
What is the median rent in Bucks County, PA?
$1,605 a month, utilities included, or $19,260 a year.
What are the biggest places in Bucks County?
By population: Levittown, Bristol, Morrisville, Croydon, Quakertown. The county has 40 Census places in all.
Does living in Bucks County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Bucks County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Bucks County?
Look it up with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.