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Moving from Kentucky to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

KY state flag
Living now

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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
Kentucky
90.2
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 8.2% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kentucky
64.3
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 32% higher housing costs
Groceries index
Kentucky
96.0
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 3.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.5
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kentucky
15 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
21.5 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 43% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.0
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 1.5% higher transportation
Median home value
Kentucky
$226,000
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 23% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kentucky
$998/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,252/mo
Pennsylvania is 25% more expensive to rent

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

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

Avg summer high
Kentucky
87°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 2.3% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kentucky
26°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 15% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kentucky
56°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 11% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kentucky
189
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 5.3% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kentucky
48 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 9.6% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kentucky
82
Pennsylvania
56
Pennsylvania has 32% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
Kentucky
1
Pennsylvania
0
Pennsylvania has 100% lower felt earthquakes
Snow / year
Kentucky
9 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 378% more annual snowfall

Get the full KentuckyPennsylvania report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than Kentucky?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.5 for Kentucky, 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?

Kentucky tops out at 3.5% 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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