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Moving from Pennsylvania to District of Columbia

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax. vs. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

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.

DC
Moving to

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

District of Columbia has an overall price level 109.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Pennsylvania
97.6
District of Columbia
109.9
District of Columbia has 13% higher overall price level
Housing index
Pennsylvania
85.1
District of Columbia
155.0
District of Columbia has 82% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.4
District of Columbia
102.5
District of Columbia has 3.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.6
District of Columbia
101.5
District of Columbia has 1.9% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia has 20% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.5
District of Columbia
102.0
District of Columbia has 2.5% higher transportation
Median home value
Pennsylvania
$277,600
District of Columbia
$733,400
District of Columbia is 164% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
District of Columbia is 81% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 88°F · Winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Pennsylvania
85°F
District of Columbia
88°F
District of Columbia is 3.5% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Pennsylvania
22°F
District of Columbia
28°F
District of Columbia is 27% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Pennsylvania
50°F
District of Columbia
57°F
District of Columbia is 15% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Pennsylvania
179
District of Columbia
197
District of Columbia has 10% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Pennsylvania
44 in
District of Columbia
45 in
District of Columbia is 2.5% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Pennsylvania
40
District of Columbia
47
District of Columbia has 18% higher AQI
Snow / year
Pennsylvania
43 in
District of Columbia
11 in
District of Columbia is 74% less annual snowfall

Get the full PennsylvaniaDistrict of Columbia 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 District of Columbia than Pennsylvania?

District of Columbia's overall price level is roughly 117.4 (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. District of Columbia tops out at 10.75%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in District of Columbia?

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

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