Torn between Mount Pocono and another Pocono town? You are not alone. Each area offers a different blend of commute times, prices, amenities and rental rules, and it can feel hard to line them up side by side. This guide gives you a clear, local snapshot so you can choose with confidence. You will see how Mount Pocono stacks up on lifestyle, access, taxes and short‑term rentals, plus a quick checklist to use on any property. Let’s dive in.
Mount Pocono at a glance
Mount Pocono is a compact borough in central Monroe County with about 3,000 residents, according to recent counts from the Census Bureau. You get a small‑town footprint with regional access and a central location. See the borough’s civic snapshot for context and contacts on the county site.
- Population: roughly 3,000 residents. Census profile
- Borough context: compact, elevated setting that functions as a local highway and commercial hub. Monroe County page
- Housing mix: mostly detached single‑family homes with a modest share of multi‑family and seasonal properties.
- Market snapshot: as of January 2026, portals show Mount Pocono’s typical home values in the low to mid $200Ks, with some recent median sale figures reading higher. Numbers vary by data source and sample size, so use one provider and date when you compare.
Nearby anchors shape daily life. Mount Airy Casino Resort sits right in the borough, offering dining, spa and entertainment. Camelback Resort is a short drive away for skiing, mountain adventures and a major indoor waterpark. These resorts support year‑round tourism and can influence seasonal traffic and rental demand.
Mount Pocono vs other Pocono towns
Not every buyer wants the same thing. Here is how popular nearby areas often compare.
Stroudsburg: walkable downtown feel
If you want a pedestrian Main Street, arts and theater, and quick access to government services, Stroudsburg stands out. The Sherman Theater, restaurants and independent shops create a lively town center. Market medians here often run higher than outlying areas, reflecting demand for in‑town living.
East Stroudsburg: university and hospital access
East Stroudsburg University and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono anchor this area. That means jobs, services and more urbanized neighborhoods. Typical portal medians often land around the upper $200Ks to low $300Ks, depending on sub‑area and time frame.
Tannersville / Pocono Township: resort corridor
Living here puts you closest to Camelback, Kalahari and the outlet corridor. It is popular with second‑home buyers and investors who value recreation access and short‑term rental potential. Prices often sit in the low to mid $300Ks, with premiums near major amenities.
Pocono Pines / Lake Naomi area: private lake communities
Lake clubs, beaches, marinas and HOA‑managed amenities define this area. Many buyers choose it for year‑round lake life and a family‑friendly, amenity‑forward setting. Prices in lake neighborhoods often trend above the county median, commonly in the $350K to $450K band, with premiums for waterfront and club‑member homes.
Hawley / Lake Wallenpaupack: big‑lake lifestyle
Hawley blends a small historic downtown with a major lake destination. You will find a wide range of prices, from more affordable inland stock to higher‑priced lakefront homes. Market medians vary by ZIP boundary and whether lakefront is included, so expect a broad range from roughly $210K into the $300Ks and above.
Commute and access
Mount Pocono’s central spot helps if you split time between the Poconos and larger metros. Typical drive times under normal conditions are below. Always test your route at the time you plan to commute, since peak periods and holiday weekends can add 30 to 90 minutes.
- New York City: about 1.5 to 2.0 hours in typical traffic. Example drive time
- Philadelphia: about 1.5 to 2.0 hours in typical traffic. Example drive time
- Allentown / Lehigh Valley: about 1.0 to 1.25 hours in typical traffic.
- Scranton / Wilkes‑Barre: roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on route.
Healthcare, schools and services
Full‑service hospital care for the region is available through the Lehigh Valley Health Network at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono in the East Stroudsburg area. That proximity is a plus if you want quick access to specialists and emergency services.
Most Mount Pocono addresses fall within the Pocono Mountain School District. School assignments are address‑specific, so confirm attendance by property address using district resources.
Short‑term rental rules and taxes in Mount Pocono
Mount Pocono Borough has clear short‑term rental requirements. The borough requires STRs to comply with Chapter 154 (Rental Property), including an annual license, a 24/7 local contact, posted safety information, parking documentation, and occupancy limits that typically follow two people per bedroom plus two. STRs are allowed only in zoning districts that permit them, and some zones have minimum lot sizes. Always verify a property’s zoning district before you buy.
- Borough STR and zoning code reference: eCode portal
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are a combination of county, borough or township, and school district millage rates. For planning, published borough notices have cited a Mount Pocono millage near 6.503 mills, and county listings show a school district component near 23.25 mills. Your total effective rate is the sum of school plus county plus borough plus any special levies. Ask for the most recent tax bill and confirm with the local tax office before you finalize a budget.
Decision guide: match your lifestyle
Use these quick prompts to narrow your list.
- Choose Mount Pocono if you want a compact borough with resort access, a central location and a mix of housing options. Expect some seasonal tourist traffic and strong year‑round recreation nearby.
- Choose Stroudsburg if downtown walkability, arts and dining are your top priorities and you want short drives to services.
- Choose East Stroudsburg if you want a university and hospital anchor with a blend of older and newer neighborhoods.
- Choose Tannersville or Pocono Pines if you want ski, waterpark and private lake‑club access, and you are comfortable with higher weekend traffic and resort‑area pricing.
- Choose Hawley if big‑lake recreation and a small‑town arts vibe are the draw, and you are fine with price variability across inland and lakefront areas.
Buyer checklist: use this on any property
Keep this list handy as you compare homes across the Poconos.
- Confirm school attendance by address with the district. Pocono Mountain School District
- Verify short‑term rental rules and HOA covenants before you buy. In Mount Pocono, an annual rental license is required, occupancy typically follows two per bedroom plus two, and STRs are allowed only where zoning permits. Borough rental code reference
- Compare total property taxes. Add county plus school plus municipal plus any special levies, and ask the seller for the latest tax bill.
- Map a real commute at your travel time, not off‑peak. Note that peak periods can add significant time. Check a sample route
- For lake and older homes, verify water and sewer type and any club membership rules that affect use and resale.
- Check FEMA flood maps if a home is near streams or shorelines.
Ready for next steps?
Choosing the right Pocono town comes down to your daily routine and weekend plans. If you want practical, local guidance on neighborhoods, taxes and rental potential, our team is here to help. Explore listings and talk through your goals with Saw Creek Real Estate, LLC. We will walk you through it.
FAQs
Is Mount Pocono a good base for NYC or Philly commuters?
- Typical drives run about 1.5 to 2.0 hours to both New York City and Philadelphia under normal conditions, with peak times adding 30 to 90 minutes.
Can you operate a short‑term rental in Mount Pocono?
- Yes, where zoning permits and with a borough STR license; expect rules like a 24/7 local contact and occupancy of two people per bedroom plus two as outlined in the borough code. Code reference
Which Pocono towns are best for walkability and nightlife?
- Stroudsburg offers the most traditional downtown experience with dining, arts and services in a compact Main Street setting.
Where do lake and club amenities lead the market?
- Pocono Pines and its lake‑club communities often command higher prices, with premiums for waterfront and club‑member homes.
How do Mount Pocono taxes work compared with nearby areas?
- Your bill combines county, borough and school district millage; examples published for Mount Pocono cite around 6.503 mills for the borough and about 23.25 mills for the school district, but confirm current rates before you buy.
Which area offers the strongest hospital access?
- East Stroudsburg provides the closest access to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono, which is the region’s primary full‑service facility.
