Carlisle, PA vs Middletown, PA

Carlisle, PA and Middletown, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Carlisle scores 81 while Middletown scores 82 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlisle is $986/month compared to $1,145/month in Middletown — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carlisle has cheaper rent, Middletown actually has lower median home values ($159,800 vs $212,400).

Median household income in Carlisle is $59,742 compared to $54,778 in Middletown (+9.1%). Carlisle offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlisle spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Middletown.