Johnstown, PA vs Swarthmore, PA

The cost of living difference between Johnstown, PA and Swarthmore, PA is dramatic. Johnstown is 58.1% cheaper than Swarthmore, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnstown has a cost index of 53 while Swarthmore sits at 127, 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 $1,493/month in Swarthmore — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Johnstown is more affordable at $42,100 median vs $557,900.

Median household income in Johnstown is $34,784 compared to $146,992 in Swarthmore (-76.3%). While Swarthmore 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, more than the 12.2% in Swarthmore.