Cost of Living in Pennsylvania (PA)
Compare costs across 8 Pennsylvania cities. From home services to salaries, see how PA stacks up against the national average.
8
Cities
92
Avg Cost Index
$41K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Pennsylvania's average cost index is 92, which is below the national baseline of 100. Erie is the most affordable tracked city in PA at index 82, while Philadelphia is the most expensive at index 102.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 20 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Pennsylvania Highlights: Most affordable city: Erie (index 82). Most expensive: Philadelphia (index 102). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 20 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
92/100
Pennsylvania is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Erie
Erie has a cost index of 82.
Most expensive
Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a cost index of 102.
Income average
$41K
Average median household income across 8 tracked PA cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1.6M | 102 | $49K | major |
| Pittsburgh | 303K | 93 | $49K | large |
| Allentown | 126K | 96 | $40K | mid |
| Reading | 95K | 86 | $30K | small |
| Erie | 95K | 82 | $36K | small |
| Scranton | 77K | 86 | $38K | small |
| Bethlehem | 76K | 98 | $50K | small |
| Harrisburg | 50K | 90 | $35K | small |
Pennsylvania State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Pennsylvania.
State Income Tax
3.07%
flat system
Combined Sales Tax
6.34%
6% state + 0.34% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.58%
~$4,740/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Pennsylvania uses a flat income tax at 3.07%. Estate tax applies at the state level. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Erie if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Pennsylvania.
- Compare Philadelphia against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.