| Index | Carlisle | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 101 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Carlisle is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Carlisle is 99, which is 1% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Carlisle closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Carlisle can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Carlisle affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Carlisle, the median home price is 2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 9.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Carlisle boasting a median household income of $72,740, 10.6% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Carlisle, the housing index is 1.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Carlisle, healthcare costs are 1.5% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Carlisle, the transportation index is 0.1% higher than the national average.
The Carlisle cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $119,214 | $9,935 | $2,781 | $3,577 |
| Renters | $54,666 | $4,556 | $1,275 | $1,640 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Messiah College, PA | 2,118 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Plainfield, PA | 289 | 89 | 11.4% |
| Duncannon, PA | 1,347 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Landisburg, PA | 187 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Mount Holly Springs, PA | 2,095 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Carlisle, PA | 19,623 | 99 | 1.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| North Amityville, NY | 19,627 | 133 | 32.5% |
| McKeesport, PA | 19,608 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Stony Plain, AB | 19,599 | n/a | |
| Deerfield, IL | 19,650 | 146 | 46.1% |
| Haslett, MI | 19,651 | 102 | 1.5% |
| Carlisle, PA | 19,623 | 99 | 1.1% |