Hershey, PA vs New Brighton, PA

The cost of living difference between Hershey, PA and New Brighton, PA is dramatic. New Brighton is 56.8% cheaper than Hershey, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hershey has a cost index of 99 while New Brighton sits at 63, 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 Hershey is $1,241/month compared to $716/month in New Brighton — a 73% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Brighton is more affordable at $104,100 median vs $339,300.

Median household income in Hershey is $78,750 compared to $50,426 in New Brighton (+56.2%). The higher salaries in Hershey partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hershey spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in New Brighton.