salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 92% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Most homes (76%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 81.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,600 a year. That is $33 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 200 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Swarthmore?
Share of households by yearly income. 64.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Swarthmore
| Size | Swarthmore | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,408 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,752 | $1,509 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Swarthmore overall?
Everyday prices in Pennsylvania overall are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Swarthmore, so the Pennsylvania figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Swarthmore
Life in Swarthmore
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Swarthmore?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,708 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $633,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $63,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Swarthmore, PA?
Renting in Swarthmore costs a median of about $1,690 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Swarthmore?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,600 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Swarthmore cheap or expensive?
Swarthmore is rated Cheap: rent takes 12.3% of the typical household income of $164,321. It ranks 200th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Swarthmore?
The median homeowner in Swarthmore pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.58% of the median home value.
Is Swarthmore more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Pennsylvania are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Swarthmore?
The median home value in Swarthmore is $633,800, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
6,550 people live in Swarthmore. Numbers are typical (middle) values.