Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,100 in Pennsylvania versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Pennsylvania runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,698 in Pennsylvania and $74,925 in Utah — about 19% higher in Utah. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.1%
+0.1 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
4.50%
+1.4 pp in Utah
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,100
$1,166
+6% in Utah
Median Home Value
$193,200
$495,700
+157% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,698
$74,925
+23% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
51.8°F
52.8°F
+1.0°F in Utah
Pennsylvania vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania or Utah?
- Pennsylvania is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,100 runs about 6% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Pennsylvania than in Utah?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Pennsylvania versus $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Pennsylvania or Utah?
- Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Pennsylvania/Utah — 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.