Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is close to the national average. Across the 25 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 99, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in Pennsylvania averages $1,346 a month across the 25 cities we track as of September 2026, 30% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 17th lowest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 25 cities we track in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg has the lowest cost of living index at 88. The lowest typical rent is in Johnstown, at $886 a month.

Philadelphia has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Pennsylvania, at 115. The highest typical rent is in State College, at $1,947 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $4.34 a gallon in Pennsylvania as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 9% above the national average of $3.98. That is the 8th most expensive of 51 states.

Rent in Pennsylvania rose an average of 4.5% over the past year across the 25 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in Pennsylvania averages 21.8 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $196.

Full coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania averages $2,180 a year, or about $182 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.