Johnstown, PA vs Williamsport, PA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Williamsport, PA is 7.5% more expensive than Johnstown, PA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Johnstown works out to about $80,600 in Williamsport, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 52.1% more in Williamsport. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,087 a month in Williamsport and $886 in Johnstown, $2,412 a year more in Williamsport (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $236,000 in Williamsport and $124,000 in Johnstown.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (6.0%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 52.1% higher in Williamsport than in Johnstown
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 92.4 |
| Goods | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 42.3 | 64.4 |
| Utilities | 108.9 | 107.5 |
| Other services | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| Category | Johnstown | Williamsport | Williamsport vs Johnstown |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 92.4 | +7.5% |
| Goods | 100.7 | 100.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 42.3 | 64.4 | +52.1% |
| Utilities | 108.9 | 107.5 | −1.3% |
| Other services | 97.7 | 97.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $886 | $1,087 | +22.7% |
| Typical home value | $124,000 | $236,000 | +89.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Johnstown | $75,000 | $80,600 | +7.5% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Johnstown and Williamsport has widened since 2008: 4.3 points then, 6.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.7 | 95.0 |
| 2009 | 90.9 | 91.5 |
| 2010 | 90.5 | 92.2 |
| 2011 | 88.9 | 93.3 |
| 2012 | 86.8 | 92.9 |
| 2013 | 88.6 | 95.0 |
| 2014 | 89.1 | 94.0 |
| 2015 | 88.6 | 95.2 |
| 2016 | 88.7 | 95.4 |
| 2017 | 90.8 | 96.1 |
| 2018 | 89.3 | 94.6 |
| 2019 | 87.1 | 92.3 |
| 2020 | 87.6 | 93.6 |
| 2021 | 86.2 | 91.5 |
| 2022 | 87.4 | 89.7 |
| 2023 | 88.5 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 85.9 | 92.4 |
Goods
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2012 | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| 2013 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2014 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2015 | 99.3 | 99.3 |
| 2016 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2021 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2022 | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| 2023 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2024 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 51.0 | 68.5 |
| 2009 | 48.9 | 56.2 |
| 2010 | 52.9 | 62.2 |
| 2011 | 51.1 | 67.4 |
| 2012 | 47.9 | 68.9 |
| 2013 | 44.6 | 71.0 |
| 2014 | 52.8 | 75.3 |
| 2015 | 47.6 | 72.8 |
| 2016 | 47.0 | 73.7 |
| 2017 | 51.9 | 71.8 |
| 2018 | 52.6 | 72.3 |
| 2019 | 45.5 | 65.7 |
| 2020 | 48.7 | 70.5 |
| 2021 | 43.8 | 60.9 |
| 2022 | 51.1 | 55.3 |
| 2023 | 47.2 | 66.8 |
| 2024 | 42.3 | 64.4 |
Utilities
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.3 | 109.6 |
| 2009 | 117.7 | 112.6 |
| 2010 | 110.4 | 109.6 |
| 2011 | 112.5 | 112.1 |
| 2012 | 106.2 | 105.9 |
| 2013 | 105.8 | 105.4 |
| 2014 | 104.4 | 104.4 |
| 2015 | 103.5 | 104.1 |
| 2016 | 107.1 | 107.1 |
| 2017 | 112.1 | 111.2 |
| 2018 | 116.1 | 113.9 |
| 2019 | 117.5 | 113.4 |
| 2020 | 113.4 | 108.8 |
| 2021 | 112.7 | 108.9 |
| 2022 | 112.2 | 109.7 |
| 2023 | 118.4 | 116.9 |
| 2024 | 108.9 | 107.5 |
Other services
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.1 | 101.1 |
| 2009 | 101.3 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2016 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2017 | 102.5 | 102.5 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| 2022 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2023 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,087 in Williamsport vs $886 in Johnstown
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $569 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $569 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $566 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $591 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $581 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $605 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $599 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $617 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $614 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $625 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $645 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $660 | – | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $665 | – | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $684 | – | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $684 | – | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $705 | – | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $707 | – | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $734 | – | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $749 | – | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $751 | – | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $752 | $974 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $772 | $985 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $795 | $977 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $784 | $969 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $797 | $998 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $815 | $1,026 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $835 | $1,009 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $837 | $1,029 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $834 | $1,035 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $860 | $1,054 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $861 | $1,053 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $891 | $1,076 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $894 | $1,115 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $886 | $1,087 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $236,000 in Williamsport vs $124,000 in Johnstown
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Johnstown, PA
- Williamsport, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Johnstown, PA | Williamsport, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $111K | $148K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $111K | $149K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $113K | $151K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $113K | $151K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $110K | $153K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $111K | $154K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $112K | $154K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $109K | $153K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $110K | $154K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $110K | $156K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $111K | $156K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $110K | $157K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $112K | $158K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $117K | $158K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $116K | $158K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $116K | $157K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $118K | $159K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $125K | $162K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $126K | $164K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $130K | $166K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $131K | $167K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $133K | $169K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $135K | $173K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $138K | $179K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $137K | $182K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $137K | $187K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $143K | $187K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $152K | $188K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $154K | $197K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $151K | $202K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $147K | $202K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $147K | $203K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $152K | $205K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $147K | $208K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $137K | $211K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $129K | $211K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $128K | $214K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $128K | $216K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $131K | $215K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $131K | $218K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $129K | $221K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $125K | $223K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $120K | $228K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $121K | $229K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $124K | $230K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $125K | $233K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $124K | $236K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.