Swarthmore, PA vs West Chester, PA

Swarthmore, PA and West Chester, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Swarthmore scores 127 while West Chester scores 126 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Swarthmore is $1,493/month compared to $1,661/month in West Chester — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Swarthmore has cheaper rent, West Chester actually has lower median home values ($481,300 vs $557,900).

Median household income in Swarthmore is $146,992 compared to $81,492 in West Chester (+80.4%). 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 Swarthmore spend roughly 12.2% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in West Chester.

Climate-wise, Swarthmore is notably warmer with an average of 56.3°F compared to 52.3°F in West Chester. West Chester receives more rainfall at 47.1" per year compared to 44.1" in Swarthmore.