Lock Haven, PA vs New Castle, PA

New Castle is moderately more affordable than Lock Haven, with a 11.5% lower cost of living index. Lock Haven scores 67 compared to 60 for New Castle, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lock Haven can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lock Haven is $794/month compared to $698/month in New Castle — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Castle is more affordable at $72,000 median vs $127,500.

Median household income in Lock Haven is $40,131 compared to $41,478 in New Castle (-3.2%). New Castle offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lock Haven spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in New Castle.