Pennsylvania Cost of Living 2026

The cost of living in Pennsylvania (PA) has an overall index of 97.6 (100 = national average), making it close to the national average. Use the calculator below to compare Pennsylvania to any other state and see how far your dollar goes.

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Pennsylvania Cost of Living Breakdown

Here is how Pennsylvania compares to the national average across major spending categories. An index above 100 means the category is more expensive than average, while below 100 means it is more affordable.

CategoryPennsylvaniaNational AvgDifference
Overall97.6100.0-2.4
Housing91.2100.0-8.8
Groceries101.4100.0+1.4
Transportation100.6100.0+0.6
Healthcare101.2100.0+1.2
Utilities105.8100.0+5.8

Key Takeaways for Pennsylvania

  • Housing (91.2): Housing costs are slightly below the national average, making Pennsylvania a moderately affordable option for homebuyers and renters.
  • Groceries (101.4): Grocery prices are close to the national average with minimal impact on your budget.
  • Transportation (100.6): Transportation costs are near the national average.
  • Healthcare (101.2): Healthcare costs are near the national average.
  • Utilities (105.8): Utility costs are near the national average.

Biggest Factor in Pennsylvania

The most expensive category in Pennsylvania relative to national averages is Utilities at an index of 105.8, while the most affordable is Housing at 91.2.

Cost of Living by City in Pennsylvania

Explore city-level cost of living data for Pennsylvania.

Cost of Living by ZIP Code in Pennsylvania

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