Most Affordable Areas in New Cumberland, PA: Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods in 2026

Source: Zillow market data and local property records

The 5 Most Affordable Areas (Detailed Breakdown)

1. West New Cumberland 🥇

Why it's affordable: Older homes from the 1950s-1980s with smaller lot sizes, but excellent location with walkability and low crime. Best value-per-dollar in the area.

Key stats: Median home price $165K-$225K, rent $900-$1,150/month for 1-bedroom, property taxes $2,800-$4,200/year. Typical home: 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1,400 sq ft for $185,000.

What you get: Walkable to Giant Food Stores (4.3★) and Aldi New Cumberland (4.4★) for budget groceries that run 30-40% cheaper than competitors. Planet Fitness (4.2★) offers $10-$25/month gym memberships. Carelli's Italian Restaurant (4.4★) provides affordable family dining with $8-$15 entrees. Crime is 48% below Pennsylvania average with a 10-minute commute to Harrisburg.

Monthly cost for family of 4: $2,610-$3,610 total (mortgage/rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, internet, entertainment). Income needed: $45K-$60K household.

✅ Perfect for you if: You need affordability without sacrificing location, okay with older but structurally sound homes, value walkability and community, want low crime plus good schools on a budget, first-time homebuyer or young family.

❌ Consider alternatives if: You want brand-new construction, need large yards (lots are 0.15-0.25 acres), not handy with minor updates.

2. Downtown New Cumberland (South Side) 🥈

Why it's affordable: Older housing stock with smaller homes, but you get riverfront access, emerging downtown scene, and walkability to local shops and restaurants.

Key stats: Median home price $145K-$195K, rent $850-$1,100/month for 1-bedroom, property taxes $2,500-$3,800/year. Typical home: 2 bed, 1 bath, 1,000 sq ft for $165,000.

What you get: Walking distance to Susquehanna River waterfront, Appalachian Brewing Company (4.2★) with affordable menu at $9-$16 entrees, Crust Bakery (4.7★) for $3-$5 coffee and $2-$4 pastries, and New Cumberland Public Library for free community resources. Small-town community feel with growth potential.

Monthly cost for single/couple: $1,740-$2,380 total. Income needed: $32K-$42K individual or $40K-$55K household.

✅ Perfect for you if: You want the cheapest home prices in New Cumberland, like riverfront access and outdoor activities, okay with emerging neighborhoods, want walkable downtown on tight budget.

❌ Consider alternatives if: You need move-in ready homes (many need cosmetic updates), want modern amenities and finishes, prefer established neighborhoods.

3. East New Cumberland/Bridge Street Area 🥉

Why it's affordable: Quiet residential neighborhood with older homes, but excellent safety ratings at 60% below PA crime average, established community, and walkability to parks and schools.

Key stats: Median home price $155K-$210K, rent $875-$1,150/month for 1-bedroom, property taxes $2,700-$4,000/year. Typical home: 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1,500 sq ft for $185,000.

What you get: Walking distance to Reservoir Park (100+ acres) with free fishing, trails, and playgrounds. New Cumberland YMCA (4.3★) offers family memberships for $45-$75/month. Access to Cedar Cliff Elementary with 8/10 rating. Larger yards at 0.2-0.3 acres with low turnover where neighbors stay 15+ years.

Monthly cost for family of 4: $2,510-$3,510 total. Income needed: $45K-$60K household.

✅ Perfect for you if: You want safety plus affordability combination, value established neighborhoods with mature trees, want larger yards, prefer quiet residential streets.

❌ Consider alternatives if: You want walkable downtown (this is purely residential), need modern updated homes, want nightlife access without driving.

4. Wormleysburg (Adjacent Borough)

Why it's affordable: Small borough feel with older homes and less name recognition than Camp Hill or Lemoyne, but same location benefits at 20-30% lower prices.

Key stats: Median home price $140K-$200K, rent $825-$1,075/month for 1-bedroom, property taxes $2,400-$3,700/year. Typical home: 2 bed, 1 bath, 1,000 sq ft for $155,000.

What you get: Smallest homes but lowest prices with 2-3 bedroom options under $175K. Just 8-12 minute commute to Harrisburg with crime 50% below PA average. Access to West Shore School District. Five-minute drive to Lemoyne downtown for restaurants and bars, 10-minute drive to Capital City Mall, walking distance to Susquehanna River waterfront.

Monthly cost for family of 3-4: $2,330-$3,320 total. Income needed: $42K-$58K household.

✅ Perfect for you if: You want the absolute cheapest entry point at $140K-$175K, okay with smaller homes (900-1,200 sq ft), value small-town feel over amenities, first-time homebuyer on tight budget.

❌ Consider alternatives if: You need walkability to restaurants and shops, want larger homes with more space, prefer more developed downtowns.

5. Lemoyne (Select Streets Away from Downtown)

Why it's affordable: Downtown Lemoyne commands $240K-$310K, but streets 3-4 blocks from Market Street drop to $185K-$240K while maintaining walkability and access to everything.

Key stats: Median home price $185K-$240K, rent $950-$1,250/month for 1-bedroom, property taxes $3,200-$4,500/year. Typical home: 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1,400 sq ft for $215,000.

What you get: Still walkable to downtown Lemoyne with 5-10 minute walk to Cornerstone Coffeehouse (4.6★), access to Lemoyne bars and restaurants, top-rated Lemoyne Elementary with 9/10 rating, safe neighborhood at 55% below PA crime average, and community events plus farmers market access.

Monthly cost for family of 4: $2,760-$3,760 total. Income needed: $50K-$65K household.

✅ Perfect for you if: You want Lemoyne's walkability at 20% discount, willing to walk 5-10 minutes to downtown, prioritize schools (9/10 rating), want safety plus community plus affordability balance.

❌ Consider alternatives if: You need the absolute cheapest option (Wormleysburg is better), want to be directly on Market Street, on strict budget under $185K.

Complete Affordability Comparison

Monthly cost includes mortgage/rent, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance. Based on 7% interest, 20% down, 30-year mortgage.



Hidden Costs to Budget For

When buying, add $600-$1,000/month beyond your mortgage: Property taxes ($200-$375/month), home maintenance ($125-$250/month), homeowners insurance ($83-$125/month), water/sewer ($50-$75/month), utilities ($100-$150/month), and lawn care ($25-$100/month).

When renting, add $120-$270/month: Utilities if not included ($80-$140), parking if separate ($0-$50), pet fees ($25-$50), and renters insurance ($15-$30).

The real math: A $185K home doesn't cost $1,350/month—it costs $2,110/month when you include everything. Calculate this before committing.

First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Pennsylvania residents can access assistance through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). The Keystone Home Loan requires just 3.5% down payment with competitive rates. The Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance. The HOMEstead program offers up to $6,000 as a grant with no repayment required.

Income limits for Cumberland County: 1-2 person household must earn under $107,700, while 3+ person households cap at $124,050.

Veterans qualify for VA loans with 0% down payment, no PMI required, and better interest rates. FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down payment through most local lenders.

Your Quick Decision Guide

Choose Wormleysburg or Downtown New Cumberland if: You need homes under $175K or rent under $900/month. These offer the absolute cheapest entry points with home prices at $140K-$195K.

Choose West New Cumberland if: You want the best overall value combining affordability ($165K-$225K), walkability to groceries and amenities, safety (48% below PA crime average), and 10-minute commute to Harrisburg.

Choose East New Cumberland if: Safety is your top priority (60% below PA crime average) combined with affordability, quiet residential streets, larger yards, and established community where neighbors stay 15+ years.

Choose Lemoyne (select areas) if: You can stretch to $185K-$240K and want access to top-rated schools (9/10 rating), walkability to downtown restaurants and bars, and premium location at a 20% discount from Market Street pricing.

Honest Trade-Offs

What you get in these neighborhoods: Homes under $225K versus $310K+ in Camp Hill, safe neighborhoods (all 45-60% below PA crime average), good schools (7-9/10 ratings), walkability to groceries and parks, 10-15 minute commute to Harrisburg, and established communities with mature trees.

What you give up: Modern finishes (most homes built 1940s-1980s), large yards (typically 0.15-0.25 acres versus 0.5+ in suburbs), open-concept layouts (older floor plans), granite countertops and stainless appliances (expect updates needed), two-car garages (many have 1-car or street parking), and master suites with walk-in closets.

The reality: You're buying location, community, and safety—not luxury finishes. Budget $10K-$25K for updates over the first 3-5 years covering kitchen, bathrooms, and flooring improvements.

Next Steps

Get pre-approved for a mortgage first: Know your budget before falling in love with homes. Check with 3 lenders for best rates (credit unions often win). Factor in property taxes, insurance, and maintenance adding $600-$1,000/month extra. Pre-approval takes 1-2 days and costs nothing.

Search with specific filters: Set Zillow or Realtor.com to price $140K-$225K in New Cumberland, Wormleysburg, and Lemoyne. Sort by "Price (Low to High)" or "Newest" and save searches for daily alerts.

Drive neighborhoods at different times: Visit Tuesday at 8am for commute traffic, Saturday at 2pm for neighborhood activity, and Friday at 7pm for parking and noise levels. Does it feel safe? Are properties maintained?

Calculate true monthly cost: Use this formula: Mortgage + Property Tax + Insurance + Maintenance + Utilities. Example for $185K home: $1,350 + $300 + $110 + $200 + $150 = $2,110/month. Can you afford that AND save 10% of income?

Apply for assistance programs: Getting approved for PHFA down payment assistance takes 2-4 weeks and could save $6,000-$10,000. Apply before house hunting.

Ready to Move?

Once you've found your budget-friendly home, Making Moves PA makes your relocation stress-free and affordable. We specialize in residential moving, packing and unpacking services, long distance moving, and flexible scheduling including weekend moves. We've helped hundreds of first-time homebuyers and budget-conscious families move into these exact neighborhoods.

Planning your move to New Cumberland? Read our New Cumberland City Guide: Everything You Need to Know for comprehensive information.

Exploring other neighborhood options?

• Best Family Neighborhoods in New Cumberland (safety + schools focus)
• Young Professional Areas in New Cumberland (rental options + social scene)
• Safest Neighborhoods in New Cumberland (crime data analysis)
• Up-and-Coming Areas in New Cumberland (investment potential)

The Bottom Line

If you need a home under $200K, target Wormleysburg ($140K-$175K) or Downtown New Cumberland ($145K-$175K). If you can stretch to $185K-$215K, West New Cumberland gives you the best location, walkability, and community for your money.

Your next step: Get pre-approved for a mortgage, then drive these neighborhoods. The right one will feel obvious. Schedule showings within 24 hours of homes hitting the market—affordable homes under $200K sell fast in this area.

Housing data sourced from Zillow, Realtor.com, and U.S. Census Bureau. Property tax information from Cumberland County assessment records. School ratings from GreatSchools.org. Cost of living index from local economic data.