Harrisburg, PA vs New Castle, PA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Castle is 23% cheaper than Harrisburg. With a cost index of 60 vs 74, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Castle to Harrisburg should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Harrisburg is $996/month compared to $698/month in New Castle — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Castle is more affordable at $72,000 median vs $121,000.

Median household income in Harrisburg is $47,783 compared to $41,478 in New Castle (+15.2%). 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 20.2% in New Castle.