Meadville vs Williamsport: Housing Costs in Pennsylvania
Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Meadville and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Using Pennsylvania's 1.36% property tax rate and $1,400/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Meadville
Williamsport
Median Home Price
$135K
$165K
Population
13,188
28,120
Average Rent
$750/mo
$880/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$768/mo
$939/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$153/mo
$187/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$117/mo
$117/mo
Est. Total PITI
$1,088/mo
$1,304/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0
15.6
Verdict
Meadville edges out Williamsport in affordability, saving you roughly $216/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Pennsylvania, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Pennsylvania's 1.36% property tax rate.
Meadville
Home Price$135,000
Down Payment (10%)$13,500
Loan Amount$121,500
Monthly P&I$768
Monthly Property Tax$153
Monthly Insurance$117
Monthly PMI$51
Total PITI$1,088/mo
Annual property tax: $1,836
Williamsport
Home Price$165,000
Down Payment (10%)$16,500
Loan Amount$148,500
Monthly P&I$939
Monthly Property Tax$187
Monthly Insurance$117
Monthly PMI$62
Total PITI$1,304/mo
Annual property tax: $2,244
Buying in Meadville saves you approximately $216/month ($2,592/year) compared to Williamsport, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
Meadville is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $135K versus $165K in Williamsport. That's $30K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $5K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Meadville, compared to $6K in Williamsport. Pennsylvania offers the PHFA Keystone Advantage program (Up to $6,000 DPA) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Meadville has the better price-to-rent ratio at 15.0x versus 15.6x in Williamsport. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Meadville is $750/month on a $135K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Williamsport (pop. 28,120) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Meadville (pop. 13,188) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Meadville, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.