Marcus Hook, PA vs Swarthmore, PA

The cost of living difference between Marcus Hook, PA and Swarthmore, PA is dramatic. Marcus Hook is 37.2% cheaper than Swarthmore, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Marcus Hook has a cost index of 80 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 Marcus Hook is $1,155/month compared to $1,493/month in Swarthmore — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marcus Hook is more affordable at $108,000 median vs $557,900.

Median household income in Marcus Hook is $50,952 compared to $146,992 in Swarthmore (-65.3%). 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 Marcus Hook spend roughly 27.2% of their income on rent, more than the 12.2% in Swarthmore.