Cresco is one of the smaller, quieter communities in the Poconos — a historic village feel rather than a commercial hub. If you’re drawn to a low-key setting without giving up the region’s outdoor access, here’s what living in Cresco is actually like.
New to the idea of the Poconos generally? Start with Living in the Poconos: The Complete Guide, or compare Cresco to Stroudsburg.
What Makes Cresco Different
Cresco has a small, historic character with a lower level of commercial development than towns like Stroudsburg or Tannersville. It’s close to the Skytop area, known for larger estate-style properties and a quieter, more rural feel, as well as Buck Hill Falls, a private golf and tennis club community just north of town. For buyers who want the Poconos’ natural setting without a busy commercial center nearby, Cresco is a common choice.
Housing in Cresco
Housing in and around Cresco tends toward larger, more wooded lots, including some higher-end estate-style properties near Skytop. Based on local MLS/PMAR data, Cresco’s average sale price from January 2025 through September 2026, weighted by the number of sales each month, has been $321,396 across 94 closed sales, running about 10% below the Monroe County-wide average of $356,659 over the same period, though estate-style properties near Skytop can run well above this typical range. Cresco recorded no closed sales in September 2026; the most recent month with sales, August 2026, came in at $341,597 across 4 sales, about 8% below the county’s August figure. With only four or five sales in a typical month, and the occasional month with none at all, monthly figures here rest on a small number of transactions — the weighted long-run figure is the better guide.
Schools and Commute
As with the rest of Monroe County, effective property tax rates run above the Pennsylvania state average — commonly cited around 2.4%. Pennsylvania’s flat 3.07% income tax rate can meaningfully offset that difference for buyers coming from New Jersey or New York — see the full breakdown in the Living in the Poconos guide. Cresco sits along Route 191, somewhat removed from the I-80 corridor, so commute times to New Jersey or the Lehigh Valley tend to run longer than from Stroudsburg or Mount Pocono — worth mapping directly if commute distance is a priority.
Everyday Life
Daily life in Cresco is quieter and more residential, with fewer local commercial amenities than the county’s hub towns. Residents typically drive to Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono, or Tannersville for larger shopping and services, in exchange for a more secluded, low-traffic setting at home.
Who Cresco Fits Best
Cresco tends to suit buyers prioritizing privacy, larger lots, and a quiet, historic setting over walkable downtown amenities or a short commute. If daily convenience and walkability matter more, Stroudsburg or Mount Pocono are likely better fits. See Best Places to Live in the Poconos for the full comparison.
Thinking About Cresco?
I work throughout Monroe County, including Cresco’s quieter, larger-lot properties. If you’re weighing Cresco against other parts of the Poconos, I’d be glad to walk you through the specifics. Start browsing listings, or get in touch directly to talk it through.
Sources: MLS/PMAR (Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors) sales data, U.S. Census data on Monroe County municipalities, SmartAsset and Ownwell property tax analyses. Averages are weighted by the number of homes sold each month, so busy months count more than slow ones. Figures are approximate and change over time — contact us for current, property-specific numbers.