United States
Cost of living in Pennsylvania
Cost of living in Pennsylvania measures 97.6, about 2 percent below the US average of 100, ranking it 24th most expensive nationally. Pennsylvania's most distinctive tax feature is its flat income tax rate of 3.07 percent, one of the lowest flat rates among states that impose a wage income tax. There is no standard deduction on the Pennsylvania return. The state sales tax is 6 percent. For earners across the income spectrum, the 3.07 percent flat rate produces a relatively modest state income tax burden compared with most neighboring states in the Northeast. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh anchor opposite ends of the state and both carry urban cost premiums above the statewide index. Between those two cities stretches a broad expanse of smaller cities, towns, and rural areas where housing, services, and everyday costs fall well below the national average. Pennsylvania's combination of below-average prices and a low flat income tax makes it a compelling cost proposition for those outside the two major metros.
Price level
97.6
US = 100
National rank
24th
of 51, dearest first
Income tax
3.07%
flat
Sales tax
6%
state base rate
What your salary is worth in Pennsylvania
Because prices here sit at 97.6 against the national 100, the same paycheck stretches differently than it would elsewhere. These figures hold buying power constant: the salary listed is what you would need in Pennsylvania to live as you would on the reference amount in another place.
| Same lifestyle as | $60,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| US average | $58,560 | $97,600 |
| California (dearest) | $52,900 | $88,166 |
| Arkansas (cheapest) | $67,388 | $112,313 |
Compare Pennsylvania with anywhere in the US
To live the same in California you need
$79,395
to match $70,000 in Pennsylvania
Price level, US = 100
The equivalent salary keeps your purchasing power constant: it is your pay scaled by the ratio of the two price levels. Regional Price Parities measure what a fixed basket of goods and services costs locally. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.
Pennsylvania in context
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each add local income taxes on top of the state rate, with Philadelphia's wage tax running considerably higher than the state flat rate. Those municipal charges change the effective tax picture for city residents significantly. Outside those cities, local income taxes are minimal or nonexistent, and the 3.07 percent state rate applies without additional municipal layers. Housing in cities like Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, and Erie is among the most affordable in the northeastern United States, with median home prices that remain accessible even at current mortgage rates. Property taxes in Pennsylvania vary widely by school district and can be high in some suburban areas, a factor buyers weigh against low state income taxes. The state's geography provides access to both New York City and Washington, D.C. within two to three hours, making it a viable base for commuters who work in those markets a few days a week.
The closest state above Pennsylvania on price is Vermont at 98. Just below sits Maine at 97.1.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?
Pennsylvania sits at a price level of 97.6 where the US average is 100, so a typical basket of goods and services costs about 2% less than the national norm. That ranks it 24th most expensive of 51 states. Housing is usually the largest single driver of the gap.
What salary do you need in Pennsylvania?
To match the buying power of $60,000 earned at the US average, you would need about $58,560 in Pennsylvania. The figure scales with the price level: a place dearer than average needs more, a cheaper one needs less. Your own number also depends on housing choice and household size.
How much tax does Pennsylvania charge?
Pennsylvania applies a flat 3.07% state income tax and a base state sales tax of 6%. Flat 3.07% on taxable income. No standard deduction. State sales tax 6.00%. Local jurisdictions can add their own sales tax on top.
Cost of living in other states
Price levels are Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities (SARPP, MARPP), 2024 (public domain). State tax figures are the latest published rates from state revenue departments. All figures are estimates for general comparison and not financial advice; your own costs depend on housing, household size and lifestyle.