Gilbertsville, PA vs Hershey, PA

Gilbertsville, PA and Hershey, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Gilbertsville scores 98 while Hershey scores 99 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 Gilbertsville is $1,089/month compared to $1,241/month in Hershey — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gilbertsville has cheaper rent, Hershey actually has lower median home values ($339,300 vs $354,700).

Median household income in Gilbertsville is $117,426 compared to $78,750 in Hershey (+49.1%). Gilbertsville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilbertsville spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Hershey.