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Moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

IA state flag
Living now

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Median household income $70,571 · winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

PA state flag
Moving to

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

Pennsylvania has an overall price level 97.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 11% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 30% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 2.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 56% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 2.0% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 22% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 38% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 69% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 3.1% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 11% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 24% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 45% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 43% more annual snowfall

Get the full IowaPennsylvania report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than Iowa?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 90 for Iowa — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Iowa tops out at 3.8% income tax. Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Pennsylvania?

Most Pennsylvania residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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