Hershey, PA vs Punxsutawney, PA

The cost of living difference between Hershey, PA and Punxsutawney, PA is dramatic. Punxsutawney is 50.7% cheaper than Hershey, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hershey has a cost index of 99 while Punxsutawney sits at 66, 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 $796/month in Punxsutawney — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Punxsutawney is more affordable at $102,500 median vs $339,300.

Median household income in Hershey is $78,750 compared to $43,097 in Punxsutawney (+82.7%). While Hershey is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hershey spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Punxsutawney.