Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Carlisle, PA

    Is Carlisle a good place to live?

    Watch Carlisle

    Carlisle ranks #6 of 26 Pennsylvania cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (67/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 2.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $212,400
    +1.7% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $986
    per month
    Household income
    $59,742
    median
    Unemployment
    4.1%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Carlisle

    The median home value in Carlisle is $212,400 and median rent is $986 a month, against a median household income of $59,742. Homes cost about 3.6× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Carlisle crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Pennsylvania the 2025 rate was 229 violent and 1,360 property crimes per 100,000 people — #34 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Carlisle, PA

    Carlisle has about 21,335 residents, 4.1% unemployment and 22% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Carlisle with

    Carlisle vs PhiladelphiaCarlisle vs PittsburghCarlisle vs AllentownCarlisle vs ReadingCarlisle vs ErieCarlisle vs BethlehemCarlisle vs ScrantonCarlisle vs Lancaster

    More: Where to move in Pennsylvania · Best counties in Pennsylvania

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report