Cost of Living in Pennsylvania
Updated November 2026 · population 13,018,639
Pennsylvania prices are 2.4% below the US average (index 97.6), ranking 24th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 85.1, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,557 a month.
Prices by category
Pennsylvania price index by category, US average = 100: All items 97.6, Housing (rents) 85.1, Goods 99.4, Utilities 109.3, Other services 99.8
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (whole state) | 97.6 |
| Metropolitan areas of Pennsylvania | 98.5 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Pennsylvania | 90.3 |
Cities in Pennsylvania
Select a column heading to sort.
| Philadelphia | 1,579,706 | 101.5 | $2,782 | $5,279 | $1,397 | $243,100 |
| Pittsburgh | 304,759 | 96.6 | $2,668 | $5,286 | $1,261 | $205,800 |
| Allentown | 125,976 | 99.5 | $2,691 | $5,249 | $1,317 | $206,600 |
| Reading | 95,242 | 94.2 | $2,366 | $4,899 | $1,067 | $121,300 |
| Erie | 93,850 | 91.1 | $2,187 | $4,650 | $870 | $115,200 |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | 100.4 | $2,703 | $5,423 | $1,382 | $260,400 |
| Scranton | 76,033 | 93.6 | $2,336 | $4,881 | $1,048 | $158,100 |
| Lancaster | 57,719 | 97.3 | $2,564 | $5,124 | $1,240 | $219,500 |
| Levittown | 50,926 | 103.7 | $3,105 | $5,913 | $1,556 | $341,300 |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | 97.1 | $2,502 | $5,007 | $1,062 | $124,200 |
Metro areas in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 102.6 | 113.1 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 100.0 | 105.5 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 98.7 | 96.3 |
| Lancaster, PA | 98.3 | 93.8 |
| Reading, PA | 97.1 | 85.4 |
| State College, PA | 96.8 | 85.7 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 96.0 | 79.8 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 95.4 | 73.9 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | 72.0 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 94.6 | 71.9 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | 93.6 | 67.0 |
| Lebanon, PA | 93.2 | 66.0 |
| Williamsport, PA | 92.3 | 64.4 |
| Erie, PA | 91.0 | 56.8 |
| Altoona, PA | 89.5 | 55.0 |
| Johnstown, PA | 85.9 | 42.3 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Pennsylvania.
Modelled monthly budget at Pennsylvania average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Pennsylvania (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $847 | $10,164 | 33% |
| Utilities | $293 | $3,516 | 11% |
| Food at home | $280 | $3,360 | 11% |
| Transportation | $620 | $7,440 | 24% |
| Health care | $351 | $4,212 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $166 | $1,992 | 6% |
| Total | $2,557 | $30,684 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Pennsylvania (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,029 | $12,348 | 24% |
| Utilities | $465 | $5,580 | 11% |
| Food at home | $517 | $6,204 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,227 | $14,724 | 29% |
| Health care | $650 | $7,800 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $328 | $3,936 | 8% |
| Total | $4,216 | $50,592 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Pennsylvania (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,135 | $13,620 | 22% |
| Utilities | $566 | $6,792 | 11% |
| Food at home | $738 | $8,856 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,633 | $19,596 | 32% |
| Health care | $606 | $7,272 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $422 | $5,064 | 8% |
| Total | $5,100 | $61,200 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
21.77¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +9.2% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)
$4.23/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +38.3% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Northeast region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 98.0 | 97.7 | 96.1 | 96.3 | 97.4 | 97.6 |
Change over the period: −0.4 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pennsylvania an expensive state to live in?
Pennsylvania has a cost of living index of 97.6 (US = 100), 2.4% below the US average. It ranks 24th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 85.1 (rank 27), goods 99.4, utilities 109.3 and other services 99.8. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Pennsylvania?
At Pennsylvania state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,557 for a single adult, $4,216 for a couple and $5,100 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 98.5 and nonmetro areas 90.3.
What is the median rent and home value in Pennsylvania?
The median gross rent in Pennsylvania is $1,209 a month and the median home value is $254,500 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 29.2% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 42.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Northeast region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology