Lewistown, PA vs West Chester, PA

The cost of living difference between Lewistown, PA and West Chester, PA is dramatic. Lewistown is 48.5% cheaper than West Chester, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lewistown has a cost index of 65 while West Chester sits at 126, 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 Lewistown is $765/month compared to $1,661/month in West Chester — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lewistown is more affordable at $98,600 median vs $481,300.

Median household income in Lewistown is $40,179 compared to $81,492 in West Chester (-50.7%). While West Chester is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lewistown spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in West Chester.