Cost of Living in Pennsylvania
Based on 3 cities we track in Pennsylvania.
Cost of living in Pennsylvania is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,100 a month — 5% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $60,698, 9% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,100
Median Home Value
$193,200
Median Income
$60,698
Avg Temperature
51.8°F
Medians across the Pennsylvania cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 3.07%
Cities in Pennsylvania
Compare Pennsylvania with
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Pennsylvania cost of living — FAQ
- Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?
- Pennsylvania is on the pricier side of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,100 ranks #24 of 51 and is 5% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Pennsylvania?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Pennsylvania, average rent runs a studio around $1,109, a one-bedroom around $1,100, a two-bedroom around $1,271, a three-bedroom around $1,431 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Pennsylvania?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Pennsylvania is $193,200 — 33% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Pennsylvania have a state income tax?
- Yes — Pennsylvania's top state income tax rate is 3.07% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Pennsylvania?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,100 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Pennsylvania is $60,698.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).