Brookhaven, PA vs New Castle, PA

The cost of living difference between Brookhaven, PA and New Castle, PA is dramatic. New Castle is 74% cheaper than Brookhaven, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookhaven has a cost index of 105 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 Brookhaven is $1,557/month compared to $698/month in New Castle — a 123% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Castle is more affordable at $72,000 median vs $265,500.

Median household income in Brookhaven is $96,393 compared to $41,478 in New Castle (+132.4%). While Brookhaven is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in New Castle.