Pennsylvania vs Washington
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,189
$1,858
+56% in Washington
Median Home Value
$232,400
$912,100
+292% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,698
$121,984
+101% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.1°F
53.5°F
+3.6°F in Pennsylvania
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Pennsylvania/Washington — 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.