Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,189 in Pennsylvania versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Texas runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Pennsylvania, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,698 in Pennsylvania and $67,043 in Texas — about 9% higher in Texas. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
None
+3.1 pp in Pennsylvania
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,189
$1,170
+2% in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
$232,400
$264,900
+14% in Texas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,698
$67,043
+10% in Texas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.1°F
67.2°F
+10.1°F in Texas
Pennsylvania vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania or Texas?
- Texas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,170 runs about 2% below Pennsylvania's $1,189, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Pennsylvania than in Texas?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Pennsylvania versus $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Pennsylvania or Texas?
- Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Pennsylvania/Texas — 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.