Hershey, PA vs Shippensburg, PA

The cost of living difference between Hershey, PA and Shippensburg, PA is dramatic. Shippensburg is 33.3% cheaper than Hershey, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hershey has a cost index of 99 while Shippensburg sits at 75, 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 $898/month in Shippensburg — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shippensburg is more affordable at $163,200 median vs $339,300.

Median household income in Hershey is $78,750 compared to $52,344 in Shippensburg (+50.4%). 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 20.6% in Shippensburg.