Pennsylvaniaflat 3.07% income tax, 9th highest property tax, median home $270K
R+2 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 97
3.07%
Income Tax
305
Violent Crime / 100K
77.1
Life Expectancy
$270K
Median Home
$1,350
Childcare / Mo
Pennsylvania in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.
What Pennsylvania taxes, and what it doesn't
Pennsylvania levies a flat 3.07% income tax. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 3.1%, about $2,303 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 3.1%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Pennsylvania has the 4th lowest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 1.43% of home value a year, roughly $3,861 on the state's median home of $270K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Pennsylvania has the 9th highest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.34%, the 18th lowest in the country (the state portion is 6%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is fully exempt, and there is an inheritance tax on some heirs.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average; that is the 25th cheapest of the 50 states.
The median home costs $270K, 11% below the national figure and the 16th lowest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,350 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,100 a year, flood coverage adds about $700 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,680.
Budget $150 a month for electricity and gas, $510 a month in groceries for two, $1,350 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 305 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); Pennsylvania is the 21st safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 1,394 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 77.1 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 6.5% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Pennsylvania's health system 17th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 23rd in the country, and the state runs a school-choice voucher program.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Pennsylvania is a swing state decided by Trump by 2 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are shall-issue, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws C.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is medical only. Pennsylvania is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are blizzard, flood, nor-easter. Annual average air quality index is 47 (under 50 is good).
Pennsylvania has a major hub airport, with about 135 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Pennsylvania
State Profile
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$3,861/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Retirement income broadly exempt including IRA distributions
Estate Tax
Inheritance tax: 4.5% to children, 12% to siblings, 15% to others
Inheritance Tax
⚠ Your heirs pay this tax on what you leave them — even if you have no estate tax. PA charges 4.5% to children from dollar one.
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Near US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
More restrictive than most states (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
No statewide framework; statewide compliance proposals pending.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Below national avg (~2,100)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Below the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Moderate homelessness rate — 19% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Near US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Near national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.9/100K residents — Solid scene
Craft Distilleries
Strong spirits scene
Live Music
Philadelphia (Live Nation hub, Made in America); Pittsburgh strong venues; Deer Creek; Troegs nationally known
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
Legal to 24 weeks; ongoing political battles
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
Second largest commercial casino market after NV. Online casino gambling legal since 2019. 16 commercial casinos.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
No state sex ed mandate
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
White Thorn Lodge · Sunny Rest Resort (Poconos) · Penn Sylvan Health Society
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
No state prohibition; posting governs.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+0.9% job growth · 3.7% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Top healthcare job market
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Above-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
High corporate rate — plan entity structure carefully
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Bottom-10 nationally
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Near avg (+0.00 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks legal since 2017; 18+ only
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required under 21 (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 35°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
7.5% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Pennsylvania counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Pennsylvania
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
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COL 97 vs 97 · 3.07% vs No income tax
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COL 97 vs 96 · 3.07% vs 5.8% income tax
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Pennsylvania vs North Dakota
COL 97 vs 98 · 3.07% vs 2.5% income tax
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Trending in Pennsylvania
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What Residents Say
Thinking about moving to PA in the next few years, what ...
As the title suggests I am thinking about moving to PA within the next few years. Me and my wife have fallen in love with everything we have seen online ......
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Moving to PA looking for suggestions for jobs and areas ...
I live in York County. Don't think the taxes are high relative to the surrounding areas. It seems the more rural you go, the cheaper the taxes....
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What is the cost of living in Pennsylvania?
Hello! I think I am probably going to stay for a couple of months in Pennsylvania as the company I am working for is going to open an office there. Could ......
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Could be moving to PA Pittsburgh area.
PA does local income taxes, meaning the township you live in. I know states like WV do not have a local income tax. · PA has annual vehicle ......
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Looking to relocate to (Western-to-Central) PA
We are considering relocating to Pennsylvania. Pros and cons to living there? r/Pennsylvania. • 10mo ago ......
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Nurse relocating family from NYC to East PA or South NJ... ...
Nurse relocating family from NYC to East PA or South NJ... Is the lower cost of living worth the lower salary? · Atlanticare pays $42-60/hr ......
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Local taxes PSA for new PA residents : r/Pennsylvania
I'll make another post around tax season but just wanted to put a PSA out there for people who moved to Pennsylvania this year - you have to pay your local ......
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Moving down to Pennsylvania from Maine, what should I ...
Hello, my boyfriend is currently in line for a job in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. I was wonder what the differences between there and Maine ......
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Moving to Philly : r/AskPhilly
Good afternoon Moving to Philly for a job this summer Any recommendations on where to look, what groups to join? About me, I am 24 year old man, job ......
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moving due to cost of living : r/relocating
Plus their paid for house appraising much higher then the property tax evaluation? The house value will end up paying for long term care....
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Pennsylvania will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
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Pennsylvania Guides
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.