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Moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax. vs. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

PA state flag
Living now

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

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

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Pennsylvania
97.6
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 5.6% higher overall price level
Housing index
Pennsylvania
85.1
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 50% higher housing costs
Groceries index
Pennsylvania
99.4
Colorado
98.7
Colorado has 0.6% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.6
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 0.8% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Pennsylvania
21.5 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.5 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 23% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.5
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 1.1% higher transportation
Median home value
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 107% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Pennsylvania
$1,252/mo
Colorado
$1,822/mo
Colorado is 46% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Pennsylvania
85°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Pennsylvania
22°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 18% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Pennsylvania
50°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 7.4% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Pennsylvania
179
Colorado
245
Colorado has 37% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Pennsylvania
44 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 62% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Pennsylvania
56
Colorado
49
Colorado has 13% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
Pennsylvania
0
Colorado
8
Snow / year
Pennsylvania
43 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 60% more annual snowfall

Get the full PennsylvaniaColorado 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 Colorado than Pennsylvania?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.8 for Pennsylvania, 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?

Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07% income tax. Colorado tops out at 4.4%.

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

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

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