Carlisle, PA vs Old Forge, PA

Old Forge is moderately more affordable than Carlisle, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Carlisle scores 81 compared to 73 for Old Forge, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Carlisle 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 $862/month in Old Forge — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Old Forge is more affordable at $169,700 median vs $212,400.

Median household income in Carlisle is $59,742 compared to $73,258 in Old Forge (-18.4%). Old Forge 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, more than the 14.1% in Old Forge.