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Pennsylvania

Moderate tax burden · COL index 97

Wins 9 categories

VS

California

High tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 3 categories

California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Pennsylvania's 3.07%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 46% higher than Pennsylvania (index 97). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Pennsylvania averages 1.43% annually vs California's 0.71%. The median home in California costs $790K vs $270K in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania
California

Taxes

3.07%
Income Tax (top rate)
13.3%
1.43%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.71%/yr
6.34%
Sales Tax (avg)
8.82%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

97
COL Index (100=avg)
142
$270K
Median Home Price
$790K
$1,350/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$2,300/mo
$1K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

305
Violent Crime / 100K
499
1,394
Property Crime / 100K
2,027

Healthcare

#17 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#13 of 50
77.1 yrs
Life Expectancy
79.2 yrs
6.5%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#23 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#20 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,350/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$2,200/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$150/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$175/mo
$510/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$620/mo
#37 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#49 of 50

Social Policy

C
Gun Laws Grade
A
R+2.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+20.0

Category wins

9

Pennsylvania

3

California

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People Also Ask

Which is better, California or Pennsylvania?

You can expect food, utilities and housing to be much more affordable in Pennsylvania. According to data gathered by My Life Elsewhere the overall cost of living in Pennsylvania is 16.6% cheaper than in California. People who live in Pennsylvania also spend 35.5% less on childcare and 22% less on entertainment.

How much will I make after taxes if I earn $100,000 a year in Pennsylvania?

Is it cheaper to live in California or Pennsylvania?

Overall cost of living in Philadelphia, PA is 29.6% lower than in Los Angeles, CA. The average listing price for a home in Philadelphia, PA is $524,116, which is 61.2% lower than Los Angeles, CA. The average cost of groceries in Philadelphia, PA is 5.0% lower than Los Angeles, CA.

Is $70,000 enough to live in California?

Full Pennsylvania Profile →Full California Profile →

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