Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Michigan to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Great Lakes, auto industry, rebounding Detroit. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

MI state flag
Living now

Michigan

Capital: Lansing

Median household income $68,995 · winter low 17°F · 165 sunny days

Great Lakes, auto industry, rebounding Detroit.

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
Michigan
96.2
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 1.4% higher overall price level
Housing index
Michigan
82.3
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 3.3% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Michigan
99.1
Pennsylvania
99.4
Utilities index (modeled)
Michigan
99.4
Pennsylvania
99.6
Electricity rate
Michigan
21.2 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 1.3% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Michigan
99.2
Pennsylvania
99.5
Median home value
Michigan
$254,200
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 9.2% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Michigan
$967/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 10% 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
Michigan
82°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 3.7% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Michigan
17°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 29% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Michigan
46°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 9.2% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Michigan
165
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 8.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Michigan
33 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 30% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Michigan
44
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 9.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
Michigan
77 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 44% less annual snowfall

Get the full MichiganPennsylvania 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 Michigan?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 92.2 for Michigan — 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?

Michigan tops out at 4.25% 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.

Related comparisons