Johnstown, PA vs Steelton, PA

The cost of living difference between Johnstown, PA and Steelton, PA is dramatic. Johnstown is 35.7% cheaper than Steelton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnstown has a cost index of 53 while Steelton sits at 83, 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 Johnstown is $616/month compared to $1,270/month in Steelton — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Johnstown is more affordable at $42,100 median vs $124,200.

Median household income in Johnstown is $34,784 compared to $55,963 in Steelton (-37.8%). While Steelton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Johnstown spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 27.2% in Steelton.