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Moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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
New Jersey
108.8
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 10% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 37% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Jersey
102.2
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 2.7% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 11% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 2.2% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 44% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 32% cheaper 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
New Jersey
86°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 8.3% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 5.5% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 14% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 8.4% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Jersey
44
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 9.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 79% more annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseyPennsylvania report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than New Jersey?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey — 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?

New Jersey tops out at 10.75% 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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