Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,440 in Oregon versus $1,189 in Pennsylvania. Overall, Pennsylvania runs roughly 17% cheaper on rent than Oregon, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $88,792 in Oregon and $60,698 in Pennsylvania — about 32% higher in Oregon. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in Pennsylvania
Income Tax (top rate)
9.90%
3.07%
+6.8 pp in Oregon
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,440
$1,189
+17% in Oregon
Median Home Value
$557,600
$232,400
+58% in Oregon
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$88,792
$60,698
+32% in Oregon
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.5°F
57.1°F
+2.6°F in Pennsylvania
Oregon vs Pennsylvania — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Oregon or Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,189 runs about 17% below Oregon's $1,440, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Oregon 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 $58,000 a year in Oregon versus $48,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Which has lower taxes, Oregon or Pennsylvania?
- Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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 1/1 cities we track in Oregon/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.