Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Washington to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

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
Washington
107.0
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 8.8% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 32% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 2.3% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 45% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 1.9% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 54% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 35% 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
Washington
79°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 7.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 37% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 18% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 9.0% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 48% more annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonPennsylvania 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 Washington?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — 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?

Washington tops out at 0% 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