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Carlisle, PA Utility & Living Guide

Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2020 census, the borough population was 20,118; including suburbs in the neighboring townships, 37,695

Last updated: June 25, 2026

Total Utilities$305/mo

1BR Rent$1200/mo

Sales Tax7.5%

COL Index105 (+5% above national average)

Family Score6/10

Median Home$320,000

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⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Carlisle

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💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$120/mo

PPL Electric Utilities

🔥 Gas

$50/mo

UGI Utilities

💧 Water

$45/mo

Carlisle Borough Water Department

🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

Carlisle Borough Waste Collection

📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$305/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$1200/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1600/mo
3 Bedrooms	$2100/mo
Median Home Price	$320,000
Property Tax Rate	1.2%
Avg Childcare/mo	$1000

The housing market in Carlisle is competitive, with a mix of historic homes and new developments. Prices have risen steadily due to demand from commuters to Harrisburg and military families.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax	7.5%
Property Tax Rate	1.2%
<p>State 6% + County 1% + City 0.5%</p>

Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate of 3.07%.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score

6/10

Safety Index

Higher = safer

School Rating

6.5/10

GreatSchools avg

Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend

+3% (growing)

Political Climate

Purple (mixed Republican/Democratic leanings)

Business Momentum

Moderate with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and education

Top Local Concerns

Property taxes, infrastructure maintenance, school funding

🚌 Transit for Families

Public transit is limited; most families rely on cars, but downtown areas have sidewalks.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Carlisle Sports Emporium
🎯
LeTort Park
🎯
Army Heritage Center

Best Neighborhoods for Families

North Middleton and South Middleton Township are popular for families due to good schools and lower crime rates. Downtown Carlisle offers walkability but higher prices.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Carlisle based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

Residents must obtain permits for home renovations and adhere to historic district guidelines in certain areas.

Financial Tools

Calculators

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Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
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Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city

Planning Tools

Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
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📊 Carlisle — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income

$52,098

👤 Median Age

34.9

🏠 Homeownership Rate

48.5%

🔑 Renter Rate

51.5%

📉 Poverty Rate

15.5%

💼 Unemployment Rate

3.7%

📡 Internet Access

86.4%

🎓 College Educated

33.3%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs peak in winter due to heating needs, while summer sees moderate increases from AC use. Spring and fall typically have lower utility bills.