These Are The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Pennsylvania For 2018

Everyone wants a home that mixes affordability with comfort and Pennsylvania does this very well. Families love the Keystone State’s beaches, midlands, and mountains as tourists before moving here and calling it home.

But before you decide to relocate, you have to do some research into the exact cost of living around the state — and that’s how we’re going to help you.

These are the places in Pennsylvania that cost a pretty penny — the most expensive cities in the state.

After we saved up for months and could finally afford it, we landed on this list of the ten most expensive cities in Pennsylvania for 2018:

1. Swarthmore (Photos | Homes For Sale)
2. Collegeville (Photos | Homes For Sale)
3. Media (Photos | Homes For Sale)
4. Conshohocken (Photos | Homes For Sale)
5. Hatboro (Photos | Homes For Sale)
6. Ambler (Photos | Homes For Sale)
7. Perkasie (Photos | Homes For Sale)
8. Lansdale (Photos | Homes For Sale)
9. Souderton (Photos | Homes For Sale)
10. Phoenixville (Photos | Homes For Sale)

So hopefully Oil City (the cheapest place to live in Pennsylvania) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.

And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out the best places to live in Pennsylvania or the cheapest.

How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Keystone State For 2018

There are basic necessities that you have to buy no matter where in the country you live. Those things include:

• Housing
• Food
• Gas
• Health Insurance
• Utilities
• Transportation

You can then compare the cost of these things in each of the places in Pennsylvania to figure out which is the most expensive.

What you are left with is a ‘Cost of Living Index’ that normalizes to 100 for an average place in the United States.

So we used that cost of living index in order to rank all of the 179 places in Pennsylvania that have more than 5,000 people.

And just so you can better understand how the cost of living index works, 100 is the average cost of a place in the United States. A score of 90 means that the place cost 10% less than average.

San Francisco has a score of 243 meaning it’s almost 2.5 times as expensive as the average place in the country.

1. Swarthmore

Population: 6,195
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 200
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Swarthmore: Homes For Sale | Data
Swarthmore (pronounced /sw.mr/ SWAHTH-mor locally, or /swr.mr/ SWAWRTH-mor) is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Swarthmore was originally named ‘Westdale’ in honor of noted painter Benjamin West, who was one of the early residents of the town. The name was changed to ‘Swarthmore’ after the establishment of Swarthmore College. ‘Swarthmore’ can be pronounced with the first ‘r’ either vocalized or dropped due to differences in rhotic and non-rhotic accents, but locally it is usually pronounced without the first ‘r’ (i.e. SWAHTH-mor). The borough population was 6,194 as of the 2010 census.

2. Collegeville

Population: 5,114
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 162
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Collegeville: Homes For Sale | Data
Collegeville, sometimes referred to as ‘Little Philly’ is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia on the Perkiomen Creek. Collegeville was incorporated in 1896. It is the location of Ursinus College, opened in 1869. The population was 5,089 at the 2010 census.

3. Media

Population: 5,334
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 143
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Media: Homes For Sale | Data
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is located 13 miles (21 km) west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,327 at the 2010 census, down from 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District with Penncrest High School and Springton Lake Middle School. In June 2006, it became the first fair trade town in America. Media promotes itself by its motto: ‘Everybody’s Hometown’.

4. Conshohocken

Population: 7,825
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 140
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Conshohocken: Homes For Sale | Data

5. Hatboro

Population: 7,362
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 131
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Hatboro: Homes For Sale | Data
Hatboro is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,360 at the 2010 census.

6. Ambler

Population: 6,443
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 130
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Ambler: Homes For Sale | Data
Ambler is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is located approximately 16 miles (26 km) north of the city center of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

7. Perkasie

Population: 8,542
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 126
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Perkasie: Homes For Sale | Data
Perkasie is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 35 miles (56 km) north of Philadelphia. Establishments in the borough early in the twentieth century included silk mills, baseballs, brickyards, lumber mills, tile works, a stone crusher, and manufacturies of cigars, tags and labels, wire novelties, etc. The population in 1900 was 1,803; in 1910, 2,779 people lived in Perkasie. The population was 8,515 at the 2013 census.

8. Lansdale

Population: 16,278
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 119
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Lansdale: Homes For Sale | Data
Lansdale is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Early in the 20th century, its industries included agricultural implement works, a canning factory, foundries, brickyards, a silk mill, and manufacturers of cigars, stoves, shirts, rope, iron drain pipe, and glue.[citation needed] In 1900, 2,754 people lived here; in 1910, 3,551; and in 1940, 9,316 people were inhabitants of Lansdale. The population was 16,269 at the time of the 2010 census.

9. Souderton

Population: 6,640
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 118
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Souderton: Homes For Sale | Data
Souderton is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The population was 6,618 at the 2010 census.

10. Phoenixville

Population: 16,430
Services: 115
Groceries: 117
Health Care: 99
Housing: 116
Transportation: 117
Utilities: 121
More on Phoenixville: Homes For Sale | Data
Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River. It is located in the Philadelphia Metro Area. The population is 16,440 as of the 2010 Census.

Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck

Well there you have it, the places in Pennsylvania that have the highest cost of living, with Swarthmore ranking as the most expensive city in the Keystone State.

If you’re curious, here are the least expensive cities in Pennsylvania:

1. Oil City
2. New Castle
3. Sharon

For more Pennsylvania reading , check out:

• 10 Safest Places In Pennsylvania
• 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Pennsylvania
• 10 Best Cities For Singles In Pennsylvania

Detailed List Of The Most Expensive Cities In Pennsylvania

Rank	City	Population	Services	Groceries	Health Care
1	Swarthmore	6,195	115	117	99
2	Collegeville	5,114	115	117	99
3	Media	5,334	115	117	99
4	Conshohocken	7,825	115	117	99
5	Hatboro	7,362	115	117	99
6	Ambler	6,443	115	117	99
7	Perkasie	8,542	115	117	99
8	Lansdale	16,278	115	117	99
9	Souderton	6,640	115	117	99
10	Phoenixville	16,430	115	117	99
11	Ridley Park	7,008	115	117	99
12	Emmaus	11,268	115	117	99
13	Norwood	5,887	115	117	99
14	Bristol	9,739	115	117	99
15	Glenolden	7,160	115	117	99
16	Prospect Park	6,457	115	117	99
17	Lansdowne	10,634	115	117	99
18	Catasauqua	6,465	115	117	99
19	Yeadon	11,477	115	117	99
20	Philadelphia	1,525,811	115	117	99
21	Allentown	117,942	115	117	99
22	Clifton Heights	6,645	115	117	99
23	Folcroft	6,617	115	117	99
24	Sharon Hill	5,680	115	117	99
25	Collingdale	8,782	115	117	99
26	Whitehall	13,932	115	117	99
27	Darby	10,648	115	117	99
28	Stroudsburg	5,623	112	110	113
29	East Stroudsburg	9,903	112	110	113
30	Bethlehem	75,016	112	110	113
31	Bangor	5,279	112	110	113
32	Nazareth	5,773	112	110	113
33	West Chester	18,656	108	103	103
34	Northampton	9,933	112	110	113
35	Kennett Square	6,054	108	103	103
36	Wyomissing	10,489	108	103	103
37	Dunmore	14,081	112	110	113
38	Oxford	5,069	108	103	103
39	Brookhaven	8,019	108	103	103
40	Wilson	7,895	112	110	113
41	Moosic	5,694	112	110	113
42	Easton	26,885	112	110	113
43	Birdsboro	5,168	108	103	103
44	Lehighton	5,495	112	110	113
45	Clarks Summit	5,115	100	104	112
46	Palmerton	5,419	112	110	113
47	Coatesville	13,029	108	103	103
48	Shillington	5,274	108	103	103
49	Archbald	6,993	100	104	112
50	Blakely	6,587	100	104	112
51	Old Forge	8,323	100	104	112
52	Dickson City	6,088	100	104	112
53	Swoyersville	5,066	100	104	112
54	South Williamsport	6,370	100	104	112
55	Exeter	5,660	100	104	112
56	Kingston	13,180	100	104	112
57	Olyphant	5,154	100	104	112
58	Pittston	7,740	112	110	113
59	Scranton	76,021	100	104	112
60	Wilkes-Barre	41,463	112	110	113
61	Sayre	5,574	100	104	112
62	Taylor	6,267	100	104	112
63	Williamsport	29,441	100	104	112
64	Chester	34,127	108	103	103
65	State College	42,008	99	104	98
66	Fox Chapel	5,393	97	100	95
67	Franklin Park	13,462	97	100	95
68	Nanticoke	10,459	100	104	112
69	Carbondale	8,903	100	104	112
70	Plymouth	5,964	100	104	112
71	Reading	87,926	108	103	103
72	Bellefonte	6,248	99	104	98
73	Jefferson Hills	10,679	97	100	95
74	Economy	9,016	97	100	95
75	Oakmont	6,323	97	100	95
76	Westmont	5,159	99	104	98
77	Pleasant Hills	8,271	97	100	95
78	Plum	27,147	97	100	95
79	Hollidaysburg	5,810	99	104	98
80	Lower Burrell	11,765	97	100	95
81	Canonsburg	8,964	97	100	95
82	Clarion	5,253	97	100	95
83	Indiana	14,026	99	104	98
84	Huntingdon	7,083	99	104	98
85	Camp Hill	7,858	103	99	94
86	West View	6,777	97	100	95
87	Forest Hills	6,524	97	100	95
88	Lititz	9,366	103	99	94
89	Greensburg	14,881	97	100	95
90	Somerset	6,267	99	104	98
91	Crafton	5,971	97	100	95
92	Castle Shannon	8,301	97	100	95
93	Baldwin	19,723	97	100	95
94	Dormont	8,609	97	100	95
95	Millersville	8,182	103	99	94
96	New Holland	5,384	103	99	94
97	Latrobe	8,346	99	104	98
98	Mechanicsburg	8,966	103	99	94
99	Bridgeville	5,144	97	100	95
100	White Oak	7,875	97	100	95
101	Mount Joy	7,515	103	99	94
102	Carlisle	18,727	103	99	94
103	Carnegie	7,965	97	100	95
104	Bellevue	8,362	97	100	95
105	New Cumberland	7,272	103	99	94
106	Hanover	15,315	103	99	94
107	Lewisburg	5,804	103	99	94
108	Pittsburgh	306,430	97	100	95
109	Brentwood	9,648	97	100	95
110	Chambersburg	20,217	103	99	94
111	Shippensburg	5,371	103	99	94
112	Tyrone	5,476	99	104	98
113	California	6,762	97	100	95
114	Monaca	5,749	97	100	95
115	Ephrata	13,426	103	99	94
116	Washington	13,720	97	100	95
117	Waynesboro	10,568	103	99	94
118	Butler	13,798	97	100	95
119	New Kensington	13,157	97	100	95
120	Palmyra	7,352	103	99	94
121	Altoona	46,434	99	104	98
122	Clearfield	6,203	99	104	98
123	West Mifflin	20,335	97	100	95
124	Munhall	11,405	97	100	95
125	Swissvale	8,968	97	100	95
126	Red Lion	6,378	103	99	94
127	Monessen	7,732	97	100	95
128	Punxsutawney	5,965	99	104	98
129	Wilkinsburg	16,026	97	100	95
130	Coraopolis	5,675	97	100	95
131	Jeannette	9,672	97	100	95
132	Vandergrift	5,197	97	100	95
133	Bloomsburg	14,608	103	99	94
134	Selinsgrove	5,624	103	99	94
135	Ambridge	7,042	97	100	95
136	Aliquippa	9,497	97	100	95
137	New Brighton	6,026	97	100	95
138	Arnold	5,150	97	100	95
139	Johnstown	20,976	99	104	98
140	Beaver Falls	8,945	97	100	95
141	Columbia	10,413	103	99	94
142	Lancaster	59,205	103	99	94
143	Clairton	6,854	97	100	95
144	Steelton	5,982	103	99	94
145	Turtle Creek	5,361	97	100	95
146	Milton	7,050	103	99	94
147	Duquesne	5,639	97	100	95
148	Harrisburg	49,401	103	99	94
149	Lock Haven	9,750	103	99	94
150	Berwick	10,476	103	99	94
151	Lebanon	25,495	103	99	94
152	Hazleton	25,166	103	99	94
153	York	43,677	103	99	94
154	Schuylkill Haven	5,411	103	99	94
155	Pottsville	14,315	103	99	94
156	Sunbury	9,917	103	99	94
157	Connellsville	7,694	111	95	96
158	Tamaqua	7,064	103	99	94
159	Uniontown	10,424	111	95	96
160	Mount Carmel	5,897	103	99	94
161	Shamokin	7,370	103	99	94
162	Shenandoah	5,073	103	99	94
163	Warren	9,672	85	88	89
164	Bradford	8,766	85	88	89
165	Edinboro	6,466	89	78	84
166	Hermitage	16,252	89	78	84
167	Grove City	8,277	89	78	84
168	Meadville	13,370	89	78	84
169	Ellwood City	7,958	89	78	84
170	Erie	101,454	89	78	84
171	Greenville	5,936	89	78	84
172	Corry	6,589	89	78	84
173	Titusville	5,601	89	78	84
174	Sugarcreek	5,278	89	78	84
175	Farrell	5,047	89	78	84
176	Franklin	6,540	89	78	84
177	Sharon	14,060	89	78	84
178	New Castle	23,290	89	78	84
179	Oil City	10,541	89	78	84