Old Forge, PA vs West Chester, PA

The cost of living difference between Old Forge, PA and West Chester, PA is dramatic. Old Forge is 42.1% cheaper than West Chester, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Old Forge has a cost index of 73 while West Chester sits at 126, 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 Old Forge is $862/month compared to $1,661/month in West Chester — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Old Forge is more affordable at $169,700 median vs $481,300.

Median household income in Old Forge is $73,258 compared to $81,492 in West Chester (-10.1%). West Chester does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Old Forge spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in West Chester.