The cost of living in Pennsylvania is just below the national average, ranking it as the 27th least expensive state to inhabit. A single adult needs at least $34,680 to live comfortably in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania, also known as the Keystone State, is a desirable place to live because of its important economic contributions in the coal and steel industries, historic architecture, and bustling city life in its most populous communities.
Thankfully, Pennsylvania is less expensive to live in than the national average. Interested in learning more about the cost of living in Pennsylvania? Jerry
, the trusted brokerage app
that helps you save money on car and home insurance,
has created a complete guide on all the essential costs to keep track of in Pennsylvania. How high is the cost of living in Pennsylvania?
The cost of living in Pennsylvania is slightly below the national average, with a cost of living index of 97.9. According to the second-quarter 2022 MERIC cost of living index, Pennsylvania is the 27th least expensive state to live in.
For comparison, Minnesota
is just one place above with a cost of living index of 96.8. On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with a whopping cost of living index of 189.9. Without knowing how the cost of living index works, these numbers can be hard to understand. The US average cost of living index is an even 100, so any number above 100 means a higher-than-average cost of living, while any number below means alower-than-average cost of living.
Let’s put that in terms of real costs—like food, healthcare, housing, transportation, and more. Here’s what these essential expenses cost in Pennsylvania compared to the national average.
Food: $324 to $1,161 per month
At the top of our list of essential living costs is food, an absolute non-negotiable. According to data from the Living Wage Calculator
produced by MIT, a single adult in Pennsylvania with no dependents spends $3,891 per year on groceries, which works out to about $324 spent per month. The average family of five forks over $13,934 annually to fill their fridge, which amounts to approximately $1,161 per month! By comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found in 2020 that the average monthly grocery bill for US households was approximately $411.
Keep in mind that these costs only account for groceries. This means that any money spent on a date night splurge, your morning takeout coffee, or your weekly McChicken at McDonald’s aren’t included in these costs.
Healthcare: $7,894 per month
A 2020 report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis
determined that the average annual healthcare costs in Pennsylvania are $7,894 per year per household, which works out to about $657 per month. That’s much higher than the national average of $477 per month. However, unlike food, two households living in a similar area with the same amount of family members may have very different healthcare needs.
If one of your family members needs regular medical care or has a costly prescription, you’ll likely pay more for healthcare than a single individual with no preexisting conditions.
Housing: $762 to $1,595 per month
While food and healthcare costs in Pennsylvania are above the national average, Pennsylvania’s housing costs are a huge contributor to the state’s below-average cost of living index.
The typical home value in Pennsylvania was nearly $243,000. Compare that figure to the median national home price of $359,700 as of 2021—more than $100,000 more expensive than the average in Pennsylvania!
How does that work out in terms of monthly costs? Well, your exact housing costs will depend on the type of home you live in:
Median monthly mortgage payment: $1,595
Average studio rent: $762
Average one-bedroom rent: $805
Average two-bedroom rent: $971
Average three-bedroom rent: $1,085
Average four-bedroom rent: $1,155
That being said, these averages only represent averages across the state, so expect these numbers to rise or fall depending on whether you live in a densely populated city or a rural area. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia
is $1,450 per month—nearly $300 more than the state average for a four-bedroom apartment! While city life in Pennsylvania is dramatically more expensive than living in smaller communities, it’s still less expensive than the national average rent, which is at an all-time high of $1,904 per month.
MORE: The ultimate guide to moving to Philadelphia
Transportation: $361 to $1046 per month
While often overlooked, transportation is another essential cost to account for whether you use a personal car or public transit.
Pennsylvanians pay between $361 and $1046 per month depending on their household size and preferred mode of transportation. For reference, the average two-person household pays about $637 per month on transportation.
Where does all that money go? Let’s put those figures into perspective:
Average annual cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania: $441 to $2,002 (liability
only vs. comprehensive and collision coverage
added) Monthly public pass in Philadelphia: $96 (as of 2019)
Average commute length
in Pennsylvania: 6.7 miles (one way) Average cost of a gallon of gas, September 2022: $3.90
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How much you need to live comfortably in Pennsylvania: $34,680 to $81,394 per year
Considering all of the costs we’ve covered above, a single adult with no dependents needs to make at least $34,680 per year before taxes to live in Pennsylvania. This works out to $16.67 per hour.
A family of five needs at least $81,394 per year to live in Pennsylvania, which comes down to $39.13 per hour.
Considering Pennsylvania’s minimum wage of just $7.25 per hour, individuals working low-wage jobs will have a tough time making ends meet, even though the state’s cost of living index is below the national average.
What’s more, all of the expenses that make life enjoyable, like dining out, going to see a movie, or having fun at a local theme park, all cost extra on top of essential living costs. Check out the list below to see how some basic non-essentials compare in cost to the national average:
Average cost of a date: $193.94 (US average: $116)
Average cost of a night at the movies: $11/per person (US average: $10.61)
Average cost of a Big Mac: $4.47 (US average: $3.99)
One-day Hersheypark tickets: $76.95 per person (US average theme park ticket price: $91)
Average sales tax: 6.34%(US average: 5.09%)
Everyone’s idea of a comfortable life is different. It’s possible to enjoy life in Pennsylvania for under $34,680 per year, but the average person will need at least this much to enjoy life beyond the basic necessities.
MORE: Pennsylvania renters insurance
The Pennsylvania cities with the lowest cost of living
The cost of living in Pennsylvania might be lower than the national average, but costs spike in major cities, like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Looking for more affordable living in Pennsylvania? Check out our list of communities with a cost of living index (COLI) that falls below the state average:
Republic (COLI 72.2): Republic is a small community on the edge of Pittsburgh, where residents enjoy a small-town lifestyle with access to big city amenities. Some homes in Republic go for as little as $40,000.
Oil City
(COLI 67.4): This historic community is less than an hour’s drive from Cleveland with amenities like public parks and an Arts and Culture Commission. Homes in this area go for as little as $58,000. Pottsville
(COLI 70.5): Pottsville is the seat of Schuylkill County and has access to three state parks including the Appalachian Trail and seven campgrounds. Homes can go for as low as $81,000 in this outdoor lover’s paradise. Greenville
(COLI 76.2): This close-knit community is just a stone’s throw from Cincinnati and is home to great K-12 schools, plus one of the best colleges in the state. Homes go for just $91,000 in Greenville. Vandergrift
(COLI 71.2) This historic community makes the National Register of Historic Places list, and the median home price here is just $100,000!
If you dream of living in the Keystone State without paying its big city costs, keep these communities in mind!
MORE: Homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania
How to easily find home and car insurance in Pennsylvania
While Pennsylvania’s cost of living is below the national average, its home and car insurance
costs definitely aren’t. On average, Pennsylvanians pay $231 more than most Americansfor car insurance alone. The good news is that you can actually save money by shopping for insurance. That said, switching providers comes with a lot of work—but it doesn’t have to! Jerry makes shopping for a new insurance policy a breeze.
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