Is New Cumberland Safe, Pros and cons of living in New Cumberland
New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, offers a blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience, making it an appealing option for those seeking a quieter pace of life without sacrificing access to amenities. The borough is situated in Cumberland County, part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area, providing residents with proximity to a larger urban center while maintaining a distinct community identity. Incorporated in 1831, New Cumberland boasts a historic downtown area, featuring landmarks such as the West Shore Theater and Borough Park, and hosts an annual Apple Festival that draws significant crowds.
The demographics of New Cumberland indicate a stable population, with a median age around 40 years, suggesting a community with a mix of established residents and those seeking a long-term home. The borough’s population is predominantly White, with smaller percentages of Black or African American, Asian, and other racial groups. This diverse makeup contributes to the unique character of the community. The median household income in New Cumberland is notably higher than the national average, pointing to a solid economic base for its residents.
Is it Safe to Live in New Cumberland?
New Cumberland is generally considered a safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of FBI crime data indicates that New Cumberland is safer than 66% of U.S. cities, with a crime rate considerably lower than the national average. The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in New Cumberland is approximately one in 201, which is much lower than the national average of one in 47.
Violent crime rates in New Cumberland are well below the national average, meaning that serious offenses like assault, rape, murder, and armed robbery occur less frequently than in most of America. The property crime rate also falls below the national average, suggesting that incidents of arson, motor vehicle theft, larceny, and burglary are less common. AreaVibes further supports these findings, noting that New Cumberland’s crime rate is considerably less than the national average, making it one of the safer places to live across the United States.
Within New Cumberland, safety can vary by neighborhood. While the overall crime rate is low, residents generally consider the southwest part of the city to be the safest. The chance of being a victim of crime can range from one in 17 in the northeast neighborhoods to one in 76 in the southwest. The East New Cumberland/Hillside area is highlighted as the safest within the borough itself, with crime rates significantly below the state average (as reported by Safest Neighborhoods). This suggests that while the borough is safe overall, certain areas offer even greater peace of mind.
Cost of Living in New Cumberland
The cost of living in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, is slightly higher than the national average, by approximately 3% (as reported by Payscale). This figure can fluctuate based on individual circumstances like career, salary, and the local real estate market. However, certain expense categories offer some relief compared to national benchmarks.
Housing expenses in New Cumberland are about 2% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). This can make homeownership or renting more accessible compared to many other areas. However, utility prices are notably higher, standing at 17% above the national average (as reported by Payscale), which could impact monthly budgets for residents.
When considering daily expenses, grocery prices in New Cumberland are 4% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare costs are also more favorable, being 10% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Transportation expenses, however, are slightly higher than the national average, by about 1% (as reported by Payscale).
Housing Market
The housing market in New Cumberland presents a median home value of approximately $292,639 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow). This represents a 4.9% increase over the past year. Redfin indicates a median sale price of $290,000 in March 2026, with prices down 3.3% compared to the previous year, and homes selling quickly, averaging 5 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).
For renters, the market offers a median rent of around $1,040 per month as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow). This is significantly lower than the national average rent of $1,910 per month. Apartments.com reports a similar average rent of $1,060 per month as of May 2026, which is 35% lower than the national average, making renting in New Cumberland more affordable than in most U.S. cities.
The typical home in New Cumberland is valued at $286,412, which is above the Pennsylvania state average of $219,976 (as reported by CommunityScale). However, the median household income in New Cumberland is $82,154 (as reported by Data USA), which comfortably exceeds the income needed to afford the typical home, indicating a relatively affordable market for homeowners.
Job Market and Economy
New Cumberland’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with the most common employment sectors for its residents being Health Care & Social Assistance, Public Administration, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). The average salary for jobs in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, is approximately $65,672 per year or $32 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).
Employment in New Cumberland has seen growth, with a 2.12% increase from the previous year, bringing the total number of employees to 4.1k (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the broader Cumberland County area include the Navy Ships Parts Control Center and Highmark/PA Blue Shield, each employing over 5,000 people (as reported by Cumberland County Economic Development). These large organizations contribute significantly to the regional job market.
The unemployment rate in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, was 4.5% as of March 2026 (as reported by ColumbiaMagazine.com). This rate is consistent with the state’s average for that period. The job market in New Cumberland is further bolstered by its proximity to Harrisburg, the state capital, which offers numerous government and administrative positions.
Climate and Weather
New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, experiences a climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. July is typically the hottest month, with average daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), while February is the coldest, with average temperatures around 3°C (37°F) (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The annual temperature range generally falls between 23°F in January and 87°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The area has a wet climate, receiving approximately 1185 mm (47 inches) of rain and snowfall annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). June is the wettest month, while November is the driest. July is also the sunniest month, averaging about 10.3 hours of sunshine per day (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The most enjoyable weather for visiting or living in New Cumberland typically occurs from May to October, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 18°C to 30°C (as reported by myPerfectWeather). During this period, rainfall is moderate, offering a balance of sunny and rainy days suitable for outdoor activities.
Education
New Cumberland is served by the West Shore School District, which ranks within the top 50% of all school districts in Pennsylvania (as reported by Niche). The district has an average math proficiency score of 44% and a reading proficiency score of 60%, which are above the state averages (as reported by Niche). The graduation rate for the West Shore School District is 89% (as reported by Niche).
Within New Cumberland, Fairview Elementary School, Hillside Elementary School, and New Cumberland Middle School are noted as key public schools (as reported by Niche). Fairview Elementary School, in particular, shows strong performance with math proficiency scores between 65-69% and reading proficiency scores between 75-79% (as reported by Niche). These schools contribute to the overall educational offerings available to residents.
While the public schools in New Cumberland are considered above average (as reported by Niche), the district’s overall testing rank is 7/10, placing it in the top 50% of Pennsylvania public schools. Minority enrollment within the district is 27%, which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average (as reported by Niche).
Demographics
New Cumberland has a population of approximately 7,580 people (as reported by Data USA). The borough is currently growing at a modest rate of 0.34% annually and has seen a 2.09% increase in population since the 2020 census (as reported by Data USA). The median age in New Cumberland is 40.2 years (as reported by Data USA).
The racial composition of New Cumberland is primarily White, accounting for about 78.88% of the population (as reported by Data USA). Other racial groups include Black or African American (3.8%), Asian (2.88%), and smaller percentages of other races and those identifying with two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up approximately 6.78% of the population (as reported by Data USA).
Citizenship in New Cumberland is high, with 96.8% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The foreign-born population is around 4.17%, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA). This demographic profile suggests a community that is largely native-born with a stable, aging population.