McKeesport, PA vs Wilkes-Barre, PA

McKeesport is moderately more affordable than Wilkes-Barre, with a 10.4% lower cost of living index. McKeesport scores 63 compared to 70 for Wilkes-Barre, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wilkes-Barre can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in McKeesport is $786/month compared to $939/month in Wilkes-Barre — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McKeesport is more affordable at $69,800 median vs $108,000.

Median household income in McKeesport is $31,854 compared to $47,970 in Wilkes-Barre (-33.6%). While Wilkes-Barre 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 23.5% in Wilkes-Barre.