Chambersburg, PA vs Oil City, PA

The cost of living difference between Chambersburg, PA and Oil City, PA is dramatic. Oil City is 30.1% cheaper than Chambersburg, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chambersburg has a cost index of 82 while Oil City sits at 63, 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 Chambersburg is $1,088/month compared to $799/month in Oil City — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oil City is more affordable at $66,600 median vs $196,200.

Median household income in Chambersburg is $56,177 compared to $52,688 in Oil City (+6.6%). Chambersburg does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Chambersburg spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oil City.