salaryRent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,600 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 173 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Carlisle?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Carlisle
| Size | Carlisle | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,465 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $996 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,413 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,464 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,940 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Carlisle overall?
Everyday prices in the Harrisburg-Carlisle metro area are 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Carlisle
Life in Carlisle
What jobs pay in Carlisle
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $135,480 | 13.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,670 | 13.9% |
| Lawyer | $131,440 | 14.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $123,110 | 15.0% |
| Software Developer | $109,470 | 16.9% |
| Operations Manager | $101,890 | 18.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $96,770 | 19.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,830 | 19.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,900 | 20.1% |
| Police Officer | $84,470 | 21.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,100 | 22.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,160 | 24.0% |
| Accountant | $76,510 | 24.2% |
| Plumber | $73,560 | 25.1% |
| Electrician | $71,820 | 25.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,500 | 25.8% |
| Firefighter | $62,760 | 29.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,680 | 29.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,570 | 29.5% |
| Truck Driver | $61,520 | 30.0% |
| Carpenter | $57,690 | 32.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | 42.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,820 | 42.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,640 | 42.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,600 | 43.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,520 | 50.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,260 | 53.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,500 | 60.6% |
| Cashier | $29,330 | 63.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Carlisle?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $15 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $224,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,410 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Carlisle, PA?
Renting in Carlisle costs a median of about $1,540 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Carlisle?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,600 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Carlisle cheap or expensive?
Carlisle is rated OK: rent takes 27.8% of the typical household income of $66,565. It ranks 173rd cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Carlisle?
The median homeowner in Carlisle pays $3,444 a year in property taxes, about 1.54% of the median home value.
Is Carlisle more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Carlisle?
The median home value in Carlisle is $224,100, about 3.4 times the typical yearly household income.
21,852 people live in Carlisle. Numbers are typical (middle) values.