Lykens, PA vs West Decatur, PA

Lykens, PA and West Decatur, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Lykens scores 69 while West Decatur scores 72 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lykens is $879/month compared to $1,053/month in West Decatur — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lykens has cheaper rent, West Decatur actually has lower median home values ($90,600 vs $101,300).

Median household income in Lykens is $69,125 compared to $38,173 in West Decatur (+81.1%). Lykens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lykens spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 33.1% in West Decatur. The Lykens ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.