Carlisle, PA vs Lancaster, PA

Carlisle is moderately more affordable than Lancaster, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Carlisle scores 81 compared to 86 for Lancaster, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lancaster can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlisle is $986/month compared to $1,177/month in Lancaster — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carlisle has cheaper rent, Lancaster actually has lower median home values ($203,700 vs $212,400).

Median household income in Carlisle is $59,742 compared to $63,421 in Lancaster (-5.8%). The higher salaries in Lancaster partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlisle spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.3% in Lancaster.