New ALICE in Pennsylvania Data Released
Nearly 4 in 10 Pennsylvania households struggled to afford basic needs in 2024.
New data from United For ALICE, in partnership with United Way of Pennsylvania, released today, shows just how many households are being pushed further behind. In 2024, 39% of households in Pennsylvania were living below the ALICE Threshold — meaning they couldn’t afford the basics, even if they were working. These include households in poverty and ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households with income above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the cost of essentials.
ALICE is our neighbor and friend, deeply woven into the fabric of community life across civic, social, cultural, religious, and recreational spaces. And ALICE workers keep our communities running every day: caring for children and older adults, stocking shelves, preparing meals, helping customers, and more.
What’s making it even harder? The cost of household basics has been rising over time. The ALICE Essentials Index tracks the change in the cost of basics, which families can’t skip — housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. In Pennsylvania, the ALICE Essentials Index climbed faster than overall inflation from 2007-2024 as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
For ALICE households, that means every dollar has to stretch even further.
But this new data is more than a snapshot of hardship. It’s a tool for action. When we understand what our communities are really facing, we can make better decisions as neighbors, employers, policymakers, and local leaders to build stronger communities where all households can thrive.
Read the full report here.