Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,100 in Pennsylvania. Overall, Pennsylvania runs roughly 11% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $60,698 in Pennsylvania — about 12% higher in Florida. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
None
3.07%
+3.1 pp in Pennsylvania
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,100
+11% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$193,200
+40% in Florida
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$60,698
+12% in Florida
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
51.8°F
+20.0°F in Florida
Florida vs Pennsylvania — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,100 runs about 11% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in Pennsylvania?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Florida versus $44,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or Pennsylvania?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/3 cities we track in Florida/Pennsylvania — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.