Moving to Chambersburg, PA: Living in Chambersburg Guide

Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County, in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley, and one of the largest boroughs in the state. It sits where US-30 (the Lincoln Highway) crosses US-11, with I-81 running along its east side, and it has a long history to show for it: this was the only major Northern town burned by Confederate troops during the Civil War. Today it is a working town with a historic downtown, a small college, the county courthouse and a fast-growing warehouse and distribution economy.

Chambersburg suits people who want small-town prices with easy highway access to Harrisburg, Hagerstown, Baltimore and Washington. Families like the room to spread out in the surrounding townships, and retirees like the quieter pace and the mountains just east of town. The borough also runs its own electric, gas, water and sewer utilities, which is unusual and worth knowing before you move.

Planning a move to Chambersburg? Call our York PA & Maryland team at 717-844-5125 or get your price online.

Where Is Chambersburg?

Chambersburg is in south-central Pennsylvania, in the Cumberland Valley between Blue Mountain and South Mountain. The borough is about 13 miles north of the Maryland line and roughly 52 miles southwest of Harrisburg. Conococheague Creek runs through the middle of town, and Falling Spring Creek joins it downtown, which is why the first settlement was called “Falling Spring.”

Approximate driving distances from the center of the borough:

Shippensburg: about 13 miles, roughly 20 minutes
Hagerstown, MD: about 23 miles, roughly 30 minutes
Gettysburg: about 25 miles, roughly 40 minutes
Carlisle: about 33 miles, roughly 45 minutes
Harrisburg (State Capitol): about 54 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes
Washington, DC: about 95 miles, roughly 2 hours
Baltimore Inner Harbor: about 102 miles, roughly 2 hours
Pittsburgh: about 161 miles, roughly 3 hours 20 minutes
Philadelphia: about 157 miles, roughly 3 hours 10 minutes

Drive times are routing estimates without traffic. The main roads are I-81 (north toward Harrisburg and south toward Hagerstown and Virginia), US-30 (east to Gettysburg and York, west to McConnellsburg) and US-11, the Molly Pitcher Highway. The nearest large commercial airport is Harrisburg International (MDT), about 64 miles away. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is about 102 miles away.

Chambersburg Population & Demographics

Chambersburg had 21,903 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates it reached 23,376 by July 1, 2025. Add the surrounding Greene, Hamilton and Guilford townships and the “Greater Chambersburg” area had 66,340 people in 2020. Franklin County as a whole was estimated at 160,652 in 2025.

Measure	Chambersburg	Franklin County	Pennsylvania
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	23,376	160,652	13,059,432
Population (2020 Census)	21,903	—	—
Median age	39.6	42.1	40.9
Median household income	$56,576	$77,003	$77,971
Per capita income	$33,172	—	$44,355
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	27.3%	—	35.2%
Owner-occupied homes	42.7%	73.5%	69.3%
Persons below poverty level	15.3%	—	11.7%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates; 2020 Census count and Greater Chambersburg figure via Wikipedia; all other rows from the American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates via Census Reporter.

Fewer than half of the homes inside the borough are owner-occupied, so there is a large rental market in town. The townships around it are the opposite: most homes there are owner-occupied, and household incomes are higher.

Is Chambersburg Safe?

We did not find a recent, reliable crime data source for Chambersburg that we’re comfortable quoting, so we won’t give you numbers. The borough has its own police department, overseen by the mayor, and the Borough of Chambersburg website is the best place to start for public safety contacts. As with any town, conditions vary from block to block. Visit the street you’re considering on a weeknight and on a weekend, talk to a neighbor or two, and call the police department’s non-emergency line if you have questions about a specific area.

Cost of Living in Chambersburg

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index puts the typical Chambersburg home at about $288,600 as of August 2026, up about 1.5% from a year earlier. That is right in line with the typical Pennsylvania home (about $290,400) and well below the typical U.S. home (about $368,700). Zillow’s figure for the Chambersburg–Waynesboro metro area is about $290,700.

Prices differ noticeably by ZIP code. Zillow’s index is about $254,800 in 17201, which includes the borough, and about $319,100 in 17202, which covers more of the surrounding township area. The Census Bureau’s slower-moving survey puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in the borough at $215,000 (2020–2024), which shows how much values have climbed recently.

Rent

Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for Chambersburg was about $1,315 a month in August 2026, up about 3.3% from a year earlier. The Chambersburg–Waynesboro metro figure was about $1,346, and the U.S. figure was about $1,948. The Census median gross rent in the borough is $1,099 (2020–2024). Zillow’s Baltimore metro rent figure was about $1,948, so renters coming north from Maryland usually see real savings.

Best Neighborhoods in Chambersburg

Downtown and the Historic Borough

The heart of town is Memorial Square and its Memorial Fountain, dedicated in 1878 to honor Civil War soldiers. Historic Main Street is known for its Victorian architecture, and the blocks around it hold row homes, twins and older single-family houses within walking distance of restaurants and the Capitol Theatre. This area suits buyers who want character and walkability and renters who want to be close to things. Expect older staircases, smaller yards and on-street parking.

Greene Township

Greene Township is the largest of the three townships around Chambersburg, with an estimated 18,721 residents in 2025. Census survey data puts the median household income at $87,691 and the median home value at $261,300, and about 78% of homes are owner-occupied. It suits families who want a larger lot and a single-family home while staying in the Chambersburg Area School District, which covers the township.

Hamilton and Guilford Townships

Hamilton Township (about 11,759 residents in 2025) has the highest median household income of the three at $99,821, a median home value of $285,800 and an owner-occupancy rate above 85%. Guilford Township (about 15,371 residents) is a bit older, with a median age of 47.5 and a median household income of $78,389. Both appeal to buyers who want a single-family home with a yard and a quick trip into town. District elementary schools with names like Hamilton Heights and Guilford Hills give you a sense of the area.

Weather & Climate

Chambersburg has four real seasons, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chambersburg 1 ESE station show:

January: average high 37.4°F, average low 22.9°F
July: average high 84.9°F, average low 64.7°F
Average annual temperature: 52.9°F
Precipitation: about 43.5 inches a year
Snowfall: about 30.8 inches a season, with January (about 10 inches) and February (about 8 inches) the snowiest months

The best months to move are usually May, June, September and October, when the weather is mild and the roads are clear. Summer moves work fine if you start early in the day. If you have to move in January or February, build in a backup date in case a snowstorm hits.

Things to Do in Chambersburg

Caledonia State Park and Totem Pole Playhouse

Caledonia State Park covers 1,125 acres on South Mountain, about 11 miles east of Chambersburg on US-30. It has camping, a swimming pool, a golf course, fishing and hiking trails, and the Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Shop opens for summer hours. The park is also home to the Totem Pole Playhouse, which has staged summer performances since 1952. Locals know the park gets especially busy on the Fourth of July.

The Old Jail and the John Brown House

The Franklin County Historical Society runs two landmark sites. The Old Jail at 175 East King Street was built in 1818 and survived the 1864 burning of the town. A few blocks away is the boarding house where abolitionist John Brown stayed under an assumed name in the summer of 1859 while he planned the raid on Harpers Ferry. Guided tours run about 45 to 60 minutes. The John Brown House requires a reservation, so check the society’s website for current hours.

Memorial Square and Downtown Events

Downtown Chambersburg holds events through the year, including the Fountain Festival (live music, food trucks and carnival rides) and a long-running Crabfeast. The town also marks the anniversary of the July 30, 1864 burning each summer. Self-guided walking tours cover Historic Main Street’s Victorian architecture and sites like Memorial Square and the Old Jail, and they’re a good way to learn the town before you move in.

The Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre opened on Main Street as a movie palace in 1927 and reopened as the Capitol Theatre Center in 2003. Today it hosts movies, plays and concerts, and it is home to the Chambersburg Council for the Arts, the Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School and the Chambersburg Community Theatre.

Michaux State Forest

Just outside town, Michaux State Forest covers about 85,000 acres of South Mountain. Between the forest and Caledonia, you have miles of hiking, hunting and fishing close to home. Conococheague Creek, which runs right through the borough, is also known as a trout stream.

Where to Eat in Chambersburg

The Orchards

The Orchards at 1580 Orchard Drive is a family-run fine-dining restaurant and banquet venue that has been operating for more than 25 years. It has a 500-person ballroom and private dining rooms, so it’s a local go-to for weddings, rehearsal dinners and big birthdays as well as a nice dinner out.

Copper Kettle

The Copper Kettle at 1049 Lincoln Way East describes itself as upscale dining in a casual setting, and it’s known for prime rib, steaks, seafood and cocktails. Reservations are requested but not required. It also hosts showers and rehearsal dinners.

GearHouse Brewing Co.

GearHouse Brewing at 253 Grant Street is a craft brewery and taproom with a full kitchen, live music, trivia nights and a Sunday brunch. The owners also run Standard by GearHouse, a bakery and café nearby. Check hours before you go: the taproom is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Jobs & Economy

Franklin County’s economy mixes logistics, manufacturing, health care, government and agriculture. Pennsylvania’s first-quarter 2026 employer rankings for the county list Walmart, the federal government, The Chambersburg Hospital, the Chambersburg Area School District and Target at the top. Manitowoc Crane Group, Ryder Integrated Logistics, Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Ulta Beauty Distribution and Ventura Foods round out the top ten. Volvo Construction Equipment, Menno-Haven, Franklin County government, Chambersburg Borough and Wilson College are also among the county’s 50 largest employers.

Warehousing and storage is the county’s largest industry by employment. That makes sense given Chambersburg’s spot on I-81, within about 100 miles of both Baltimore and Washington. Letterkenny Army Depot, which covers nearly 18,000 acres just northwest of the borough, repairs and maintains missile systems and other military equipment and is a major civilian employer. Agriculture still matters too: corn, wheat and barley farms surround the town, along with many Amish and Mennonite families.

If you’re relocating for a job at Letterkenny or you’re an active-duty or veteran family, ask about our military moves.

Schools in Chambersburg

The Chambersburg Area School District serves the borough plus Greene, Hamilton, Letterkenny and Lurgan townships and most of Guilford Township, an area of more than 250 square miles. With about 8,800 students, it is the 22nd largest of Pennsylvania’s roughly 500 school districts. Its schools include:

Elementary: Andrew Buchanan, Benjamin Chambers, Falling Spring, Fayetteville, Grandview, Guilford Hills, Hamilton Heights, Lurgan, Marion, New Franklin, Scotland, South Hamilton and Thaddeus Stevens
Middle: Chambersburg Area Middle School North and South
High: Chambersburg Area Senior High School

The Franklin County Career and Technology Center in Chambersburg offers trade training for high school students and adults. For college, Wilson College was founded in 1869 as a women’s college and has been coeducational since 2013. It also hosts the Cumberland Valley School of Music. Always confirm which elementary school serves a specific address with the district before you buy or sign a lease.

Chambersburg Quick Facts

County	Franklin County (county seat)
Settled / laid out	Settled 1730; town laid out 1764
Land area	About 6.9 square miles
ZIP codes	17201, 17202
Area codes	717 and 223 (overlay)
Main roads	I-81, US-30 (Lincoln Highway), US-11
Nearest major airport	Harrisburg International (MDT), about 64 miles
Public schools	Chambersburg Area School District
Utilities	Borough-owned electric, gas, water, sewer and trash
Borough hall	100 South Second Street
Population (2025 estimate)	23,376

Moving to Chambersburg: Tips From Our Crew

A few things our Chambersburg moving crews keep in mind when planning a move here:

Set up utilities with the borough, not a power company. Inside borough limits, Chambersburg runs its own electric, gas, water, sewer and trash service. It is the largest municipal electric utility in Pennsylvania and one of only two municipalities in the state with a public gas utility. Call the borough’s utility office a couple of weeks before you move so service is on when you arrive. If you’re moving into one of the townships, your providers will be different, so check before you assume.
Plan around I-81 traffic. I-81 carries heavy truck traffic, and the shopping area around Exit 17 gets busy. We schedule arrival times to avoid the worst of it, but let us know if your new home is close to one of the big distribution centers or shopping areas so we can plan our route.
Check the downtown event calendar. Festivals around Memorial Square can close streets and fill parking. If you’re moving into or out of a downtown home, pick a date that doesn’t overlap an event, and ask the borough about reserving curb space for the truck.
Measure for older homes. Many downtown houses date back more than a century and have narrow stairways and tight turns. Measure your largest pieces (sofas, box springs, dressers) before moving day. We bring pads and door-jamb protection, but some pieces may need to be disassembled.
Keep a snow backup date. With about 31 inches of snow in an average season, a January or February move can get pushed. Pick a backup date when you book. A & M never charges a rescheduling fee.
Clear the clutter before the truck comes. The cheapest move is a smaller move. Sell, donate or use our junk removal service for the things you won’t need in the new house.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Chambersburg

How much does it cost to hire movers in Chambersburg?

It depends on how much you’re moving, how far, how many stairs and how much packing you need. A downtown apartment and a four-bedroom house in Greene Township are priced very differently. The fastest way to find out is a free quote. Call 717-844-5125, and an owner will call you back, usually within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Is Chambersburg cheaper than Harrisburg or Maryland?

For most people, yes. Zillow’s typical home value in Chambersburg is about $288,600, compared with about $311,800 for the Harrisburg metro. Against the Baltimore metro, the gap is bigger: Zillow puts the typical Baltimore-area home at about $400,300. Typical rent in Chambersburg is about $1,315 a month, compared with about $1,948 nationally.

How far is Chambersburg from Washington, DC and Baltimore?

Chambersburg is about 95 miles from downtown Washington and about 102 miles from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Without traffic, both drives take roughly two hours. Hagerstown, Maryland, is only about 23 miles south on I-81.

Do I need to set up electric and gas with the borough?

If your new home is inside the borough, yes. The Borough of Chambersburg provides electric, gas, water, sewer and trash service to residents. Homes in the surrounding townships are served by other providers, so confirm which utilities serve your address before closing or signing a lease.

Can you help with a long-distance move to or from Chambersburg?

Yes. For long-distance moves you get a binding estimate, so your price doesn’t change after you book. Your belongings ride on your own dedicated truck with the same W-2 crew from door to door, and you get a guaranteed delivery date.

Move to Chambersburg With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60–90 days. We handle local moves, packing and unpacking, storage and military moves (5% off for military families). See how our Chambersburg movers can help, or call our York PA & Maryland team at 717-844-5125. You can also read what customers say on our reviews page.

Get My Price