Oakwood, PA vs Swarthmore, PA

The cost of living difference between Oakwood, PA and Swarthmore, PA is dramatic. Oakwood is 36.5% cheaper than Swarthmore, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oakwood has a cost index of 81 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 Oakwood is $1,261/month compared to $1,493/month in Swarthmore — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakwood is more affordable at $112,500 median vs $557,900.

Median household income in Oakwood is $72,273 compared to $146,992 in Swarthmore (-50.8%). 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 Oakwood spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, more than the 12.2% in Swarthmore.