Darby, PA vs Northumberland, PA

Northumberland is moderately more affordable than Darby, with a 11.1% lower cost of living index. Darby scores 85 compared to 76 for Northumberland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Darby can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Darby is $1,337/month compared to $986/month in Northumberland — a 36% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Northumberland has cheaper rent, Darby actually has lower median home values ($101,900 vs $158,200).

Median household income in Darby is $45,128 compared to $57,162 in Northumberland (-21.1%). Northumberland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Darby spend roughly 35.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.7% in Northumberland. The Northumberland ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.