Harrisburg, PA vs Johnstown, PA

The cost of living difference between Harrisburg, PA and Johnstown, PA is dramatic. Johnstown is 39.5% cheaper than Harrisburg, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Harrisburg has a cost index of 74 while Johnstown sits at 53, 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 Harrisburg is $996/month compared to $616/month in Johnstown — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Johnstown is more affordable at $42,100 median vs $121,000.

Median household income in Harrisburg is $47,783 compared to $34,784 in Johnstown (+37.4%). The higher salaries in Harrisburg partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Harrisburg spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in Johnstown.