Cost of Living in Pennsylvania 2026
5%
|
Lower Than National Avg.
Pennsylvania's 2026 cost of living is
$2351 per month for singles and $5178 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Pennsylvania are 5% lower than the U.S. national average.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to make informed decisions about living and working in your ideal location.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Pennsylvania's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Pennsylvania is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 15.0% lower than average($1020
per month for a single person and $1870 per month for a family of four).
Food expenses run 1.0%
below average at $396
monthly for an individual and $1287 for a family,
while utilities, transportation and healthcare costs are 1.7% lower at about $860 per month
for one person and $1908 for a household.
| Expense Category |
Average Monthly Expense Single Person |
Average Monthly Expense Family of Four |
Compare Pennsylvania to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1020 | 1870 |
|
|
396 | 1287 |
|
|
178 | 306 |
|
|
400 | 850 |
|
|
282 | 752 |
|
2026 Cost of Living: Pennsylvania Major Cities vs. National Average?
The cost of living varies across major Pennsylvania cities. Doylestown, Philadelphia,
West Chester ranking as the most expensive. Among Pennsylvania cities, Johnstown,
Erie, State College have the lowest cost of living.
Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Pennsylvania
A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Pennsylvania Cities compared to the national average.
The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.
About Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (/ˌpɛnsɪlˈveɪniə/ (listen) PEN-sil-VAY-nee-ə), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state located in the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The Appalachian Mountains run through its middle. The Commonwealth is bordered by Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario to the northwest, New York to the north, and New Jersey to the east.
Pennsylvania is the 33rd-largest state by area, and the 6th-most populous state according to the most recent of...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the Cost of Living in Pennsylvania
Buying a home and the cost of living
If you want to buy a home in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, you will find that home prices are generally below the median compared to most residential home markets in the country. Purchasing a home can be a lengthy and complex process. Besides the down payment, which is usually 15-20% of the selling price, there will be closing costs. If you own a home in your former location the sale of that home needs to be completed as well. Once you have purchased and moved into your new home, there will be utility and maintenance costs as well as property taxes and home insurance that will contribute to your cost of living. The advantages of living in Pennsylvania are many, and below median prices for homes is one of them to consider. (
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
Pennsylvania is ranked number 15 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in . The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
(
2026-03-26
salary.com
)
See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
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See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Last Update: 2026-03-26