Wilkes-Barre, PA vs Williamsport, PA

Wilkes-Barre, PA and Williamsport, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Wilkes-Barre scores 70 while Williamsport scores 70 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 Wilkes-Barre is $939/month compared to $825/month in Williamsport — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Williamsport has cheaper rent, Wilkes-Barre actually has lower median home values ($108,000 vs $146,500).

Median household income in Wilkes-Barre is $47,970 compared to $49,363 in Williamsport (-2.8%). Williamsport offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Wilkes-Barre spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Williamsport.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 51.3°F). Williamsport receives more rainfall at 43.5" per year compared to 38.7" in Wilkes-Barre.