Guide To The Cost Of Living In Mechanicsburg, PA (+ Bethany Village)

Have you been to Mechanicsburg, PA, and now you’re thinking of relocating here? We don’t blame you. This quaint town has so much to offer and is a great place to raise a family. It has a small-town feel with lots of history, yet every shop you will ever need is close by.

The town is calm and quiet with a friendly community. It is also safe and not far from city nightlife with Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore right next door. So what will it cost to live in the city of Mechanicsburg, PA?

Here, we will provide you with a guide to the cost of living in Mechanicsburg, PA and Bethany Village. We take a look at housing options, schools, transport, and much more so that you have a good sense of what the expected costs will amount to.

Mechanicsburg, PA Cost Of Living

Salaries and Financing

The cost of living in Mechanicsburg, PA for a family of four is estimated at around $3,800 excluding rent. A single person’s estimated monthly costs excluding housing are just over $1,000.

An average monthly net salary is just over $4,200 which is considered to be a comfortable living wage for the area. Popular occupations are found in steel production, train manufacturing, banking, and agriculture as these industries drive the economy in Pennsylvania.

Property

Housing in Mechanicsburg, PA is affordable and attractive. There are plenty of parks that kids, students, and even adults can go to in these neighborhoods, making for a friendly, close community. 

Mechanicsburg also has over 20 top realtors to assist you with finding your next perfect home.

Popular neighborhoods include: Good Hope Mill, Shepherdstown, Carlisle Pike / Salem Church Road, and Good Hope, to name a few.

The cost of buying a house in Mechanicsburg of course varies with the size of the property. The below table will give you an estimated idea of the price you could expect:

Price	Bedrooms	Bathrooms	Sqft
$90,000	Two	Two	981
$274,900	Three	Two	1,505
$484,900	Four	Three	3,285
$719,900	Five	Four	3,504

If buying an apartment is more suited to your needs, it could cost around $4,700 in the city center. On the outskirts of the town, it’s more affordable and costs $1,300.

The mortgage interest rate yearly for 20 years fixed rate is approximately 3.5%.

When you buy a house you also need to budget for the water and sewage services to the city which falls under your rates. Trash and recycling are also included in your monthly rates.

Renting

When renting you need to pay an upfront deposit, most landlords request a month or two upfront so budgeting for this is important. You will get the deposit back when you leave so take care not to incur any damages to the property while you are living there.

Rent per Month	Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	$1,700
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	$1,100
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	$2,900
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	$1,700

List damages and take photos before moving in so that you have something to reference when you leave. Also, ensure that you obtain a written lease and have a clear understanding of the contract.

Bethany Village

Mechanicsburg, PA is also home to Asbury Bethany Village. Bethany Village is a senior living community made up of people who care about each other and who opt to have a fun-filled retirement.

Here, you will have the option of choosing an apartment, cottage, or house, all located in the safety and security of Bethany Village. Entrance fees start around $145,600 and one-bedroom apartment fees begin at $1,720 

Affordability is one of the main attractions of living in Bethany Village.

Bethany Village is committed to delivering flexible financial planning to fit your lifestyle. Gas, electricity, water, and sewage are included in an apartment, but cottages and estate homes pay for it separately.

There are no home repairs, shoveling snow, or mowing the grass. Living in Bethany Village, you will have the time to learn to paint, attend lectures, mentor children, and more.

Harrisburg is only a few miles away and offers shopping, dining, and cultural opportunities. The Appalachian Trail is also nearby and a great place to hike, while Philadelphia, Hershey, and Gettysburg offer perfect outings for the grandchildren.

Utilities

The approximate monthly water and sewer bill for Mechanicsburg residents is a little under $120. The basic electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage can amount to more or less $300 a month.

The approximate commercial electricity rate in Mechanicsburg, PA is $0.28 /kWh which is 70.76% less than the Pennsylvania average rate of 9.44 c/kWh. Residential electricity in Mechanicsburg is $0.9 /kWh which is 35.69% less than the Pennsylvania average rate of $0.13 /kWh.

The price of Wi-Fi ranges with your speed, but you can expect to pay providers like Xfinity, RCN, HughesNet, and Viasat anything between; $29.99 to $50.00 monthly for speeds ranging between 100-2,000 Mbps. 

It’s of course highly dependent on what you need it for. With 25 Mbps, you can stream Netflix or Youtube and attend Zoom meetings without any interruptions. Most online games can also be played at this speed so 25 Mbps is fairly good.

Groceries and Food

There are various places to eat and shop for groceries or just for your everyday necessities.

For your basic weekly groceries, you could expect to pay $3.75 for a gallon of milk, $3.30 for a loaf of white bread. A dozen eggs will cost around $2.00 and 2 pounds of chicken fillets for around $7.  

If you enjoy dining out, a meal at a family restaurant will cost approximately $14.00 for one person. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant and a three-course meal will cost about $50.00. 

Education and child care

The level of education for Mechanicsburg citizens is considerably higher than the standard US community. Nearly one-third of all adults in Mechanicsburg have a bachelor’s degree, which is remarkable. 

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Mechanicsburg, PA has an exemplary school system. The schools also include music and sports to provide a diverse education to their learners, so your kids will find something that suits them no matter their personalities. 

The public schools are huge in the area. However private schools are also an option. St. Joseph Roman Catholic School is estimated at $7,794.00 per student per year and Heritage Christian Academy (Baptist) is estimated at $7,050 for grades 7-12. 

Trinity High School is another highly-regarded private co-ed catholic school. 

You also have a selection of excellent daycares and preschools. The Goddard School, Kiddie Academy of Silver Spring, Mechanicsburg KinderCare, and Mechanicsburg Learning Center are some of the best-regarded daycares in the area.

Home Security

Considering that you will be moving to a brand new location, it would be wise to spend the extra money every month on a home security system, just for that extra layer of safety. 

Vivint is considered to be a good overall security system. The system is smart tech and you can expect to pay approximately $30 monthly. SimpliSafe is a DIY security system option. The system is safe and you can expect to pay $15 once off.

Frontpoint is a great whole-property security system. It is also DIY and you can expect to pay $35 monthly. 

ADT is another long-standing and trusted brand. With their service, you get great round-the-clock pro monitoring security for under $30 a month.

Cove has zoomed in on the customers’ needs and therefore they have produced a customer-focused security system. The expected rate monthly is $15.

Health Insurance

The average cost for a doctor’s visit ranges between $300 and $600 without insurance. However, it is advisable for anyone with an immediate need to visit urgent care with no insurance. 

Urgent care centers usually do not cost as much as hospital emergency rooms, but services are charged. In most places, a basic urgent care center visit may cost around $100 which is not bad considering that the national average price for a physical is around $199 for anyone without insurance.

Most dentists in Mechanicsburg offer a sliding fee schedule based on how much you earn, how many family members are being attended to, and what needs to be done. 

The cheapest health insurance in Pennsylvania for most people is the Silver PPO 5950/20/40, which is the most affordable Silver plan in 24% of the state’s counties. Alternatively, the cheapest Silver plan overall is the Together Blue EPO Silver 3450 HSA. 

Cheap health insurance plans in Pennsylvania are available through the state exchange, although some shoppers can qualify for Medicaid. This would be dependent on their household income.

In 2021, the average cost of health insurance in the state is $450 per month, down 5% from the 2020 average. 

Pennsylvania also has tiered plans to help you find cost-effective health insurance policies for your required level of coverage. The approximate cost of health insurance in Pennsylvania is $470 per month for a 40-year-old. 

So the actual cost of a tiered health insurance plan in Pennsylvania will depend on the policy you choose, as well as your age and the number of people insured. A younger couple with no children will pay lower rates than an older couple with children that need coverage. 

Transportation 

You can easily get around Mechanicsburg by tram, bus, taxi, or car. Using a private vehicle is of course extra convenient, however, it is taxing on the environment unless you carpool which will reduce the carbon emissions per head. 

But when buying a vehicle you would also need to consider maintenance, gasoline which costs $0.78 per gallon, and vehicle insurance.  

Public transportation is available in every county in Pennsylvania, with 44 systems offering shared-ride services in all Pennsylvania counties and 13 intercity bus routes. 

Bus fare is $2 per ride and your first transfer is free. The cost for your next transfer if you have a SEPTA Key card will only be $1. However, if you’re paying cash, the cost is $2.50 and you must have the exact amount as the bus operator can’t make change. 

A monthly pass will cost approximately $100  

There’s also a free transit program that allows senior citizens to ride free on local fixed-route service whenever the local public transit system is operating. To ride for free, you will need to produce your senior citizen transit identification card.  

Afterward, you will be provided with a travel card that is available free of charge from participating local transit operators. 

Amtrak also operates approximately 120 daily trains through Pennsylvania, including Acela Express, Keystone, and regional service. In addition, Amtrak also operates The Capitol Limited (daily Washington-Pittsburgh-Cleveland-Chicago) long-distance trains through Pennsylvania. 

Another form of transport that you need to consider is the actual moving costs of relocating from your current location to Mechanicsburg, PA. This on its own can be very overwhelming.  

However, professional movers have the experience to help you along this journey so contact them for a quote so that you can factor in this additional cost. Their services range from packing boxes to long hauling.  

Conclusion  

This town has loads of comfy coffee shop locations, a peaceful environment, lots of character, and many traditions. All this makes it easy to fall in love with this town.  

Mechanicsburg, PA’s cost of living is only slightly higher than the national average, which is good when compared with expensive metropolis areas like New York City. Relocating is a big decision but one that can be made when you have all the costs in front of you and a good plan.