Harrisburg, PA vs Williamsport, PA

Williamsport is moderately more affordable than Harrisburg, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Harrisburg scores 74 compared to 70 for Williamsport, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harrisburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harrisburg is $996/month compared to $825/month in Williamsport — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Williamsport has cheaper rent, Harrisburg actually has lower median home values ($121,000 vs $146,500).

Median household income in Harrisburg is $47,783 compared to $49,363 in Williamsport (-3.2%). Williamsport offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Harrisburg spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Williamsport.