Bristol, PA vs New Castle, PA

The cost of living difference between Bristol, PA and New Castle, PA is dramatic. New Castle is 56.2% cheaper than Bristol, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bristol has a cost index of 94 while New Castle sits at 60, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bristol is $1,281/month compared to $698/month in New Castle — a 84% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Castle is more affordable at $72,000 median vs $236,400.

Median household income in Bristol is $70,595 compared to $41,478 in New Castle (+70.2%). While Bristol is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bristol spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in New Castle.