CostIndexUSA

Hagerstown, MD vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMD
Hagerstown
94.2
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Hagerstown is slightly cheaper than Lancaster — 4.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hagerstown, you would need $83,500 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+23.9%
Hagerstown
75.7
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries+4.5%
Hagerstown
96.4
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.8%
Hagerstown
104.5
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Hagerstown
94.5
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities+12.1%
Hagerstown
95.7
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Hagerstown to see what you'd need to earn in Lancaster to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$83,500
$3,500 more needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 94.2) = salary × 1.0435. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hagerstown, MD

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
75.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Lancaster has 23.9% higher housing costs compared to Hagerstown.

Income & Job Market

Hagerstown, MD

Median Household Income
$75,400
Per Capita Income
$43,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
43,484
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsRetailGovernment

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Hagerstown, MD
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.