Mertztown, PA vs West Homestead, PA

West Homestead is moderately more affordable than Mertztown, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. Mertztown scores 83 compared to 78 for West Homestead, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mertztown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mertztown is $1,150/month compared to $1,041/month in West Homestead — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Homestead is more affordable at $159,000 median vs $173,300.

Median household income in Mertztown is $64,318 compared to $81,477 in West Homestead (-21.1%). West Homestead offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mertztown spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.3% in West Homestead.