Collegeville, PA vs Hershey, PA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hershey is 16.4% cheaper than Collegeville. With a cost index of 99 vs 116, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hershey to Collegeville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Collegeville is $1,468/month compared to $1,241/month in Hershey — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hershey is more affordable at $339,300 median vs $431,200.

Median household income in Collegeville is $88,992 compared to $78,750 in Hershey (+13%). The higher salaries in Collegeville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Collegeville spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 18.9% in Hershey.