Study: Cost Of Living In Philadelphia Area Is Well Above Federal Poverty Standards
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Delaware County non-profit released a report this week showing the cost of living in the Philadelphia area is far more than federal poverty standards suggest. The study also shows living in the suburbs is more expensive than living in the city.
The federal government says the poverty line is $23,000 but the study by PathWays PA found it costs three times that to live in the Philadelphia suburbs. Montgomery County is the most expensive suburb.
Pathways' Marianne Bellesorte says a family of four there would have to make $74,000 just to meet basic needs.
"It's a very no-frills standard. We don't include going to the movies, getting take-out or having any savings or retirement plans."
Bellesorte says Philadelphia families need $61,000 for that basic standard but 42-percent aren't making it. Pathways president Carol Geortzel says they make due.
"People eat macaroni for many nights, people don't get the medications they need, they don't turn the heat up."
Goertzel says Pathways would like policy makers to read the report and act on it.
