Wilkes-Barre, PA vs York, PA

Wilkes-Barre, PA and York, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Wilkes-Barre scores 70 while York scores 71 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 $958/month in York — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wilkes-Barre has cheaper rent, York actually has lower median home values ($103,100 vs $108,000).

Median household income in Wilkes-Barre is $47,970 compared to $47,115 in York (+1.8%). Wilkes-Barre 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, less than the 24.4% in York.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 52.4°F). York receives more rainfall at 42.1" per year compared to 38.7" in Wilkes-Barre.