McKeesport, PA vs Swarthmore, PA

The cost of living difference between McKeesport, PA and Swarthmore, PA is dramatic. McKeesport is 50.6% cheaper than Swarthmore, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McKeesport has a cost index of 63 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 McKeesport is $786/month compared to $1,493/month in Swarthmore — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McKeesport is more affordable at $69,800 median vs $557,900.

Median household income in McKeesport is $31,854 compared to $146,992 in Swarthmore (-78.3%). 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 McKeesport spend roughly 29.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.2% in Swarthmore.