Cost of Living · Updated June 2026
Pennsylvania vs Ohio Cost of Living Comparison
Ohio's cost of living index sits at 92 against Pennsylvania's 95 (US average = 100) – so a $80,000 lifestyle in Pennsylvania costs about $77,500 in Ohio before taxes. After state taxes the gap barely moves: $80,000 gross nets $62,792 in Pennsylvania vs $63,034 in Ohio for a single filer in 2026.
Housing drives most of it: median home prices are $270,000 in Pennsylvania vs $240,000 in Ohio, with one-bedroom rents at $1,300 vs $1,100. Flat 3.07% plus local Earned Income Tax of ~1% (up to 3.92% in Philadelphia). Flat 2.75% from 2026; most municipalities add a 1%–3% local income tax
Cost of living calculator
Equivalent salary
–
–
–
- Budget A
- –
- Budget B
- –
- Rent share of pay A
- –
- Rent share of pay B
- –
Line-by-line, monthly
| Item | A | B | Δ |
|---|
Composite 2026 index incl. centre rent (NYC = 100). Salary figures are gross – taxes not included; pair with the salary after tax calculator.
Key insights
Key insights
- COL index: Pennsylvania 95 vs Ohio 92 (US = 100).
- $80,000 gross nets $62,792 in Pennsylvania vs $63,034 in Ohio (single filer, 2026).
- Median homes: $270,000 vs $240,000.
- State income tax on $80k: $2,318 vs $2,076/year.
- Renter disposable income favours Ohio.
| Metric | Pennsylvania | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 3.07% flat | 2.75% flat |
| Combined sales tax (avg) | 6.3% | 7.2% |
| Effective property tax | 1.41% | 1.59% |
| Cost of living index (US = 100) | 95 | 92 |
| Median home price | $270,000 | $240,000 |
| Typical 1-bed rent | $1,300 | $1,100 |
Taxes: the hidden half of the comparison
Pennsylvania taxes wages at a flat 3.07%, while Ohio uses a flat 2.75%. On $80,000, that's $2,318 vs $2,076 per year in state income tax.
Income tax isn't the whole story: sales tax averages 6.3% vs 7.2%, and property tax 1.41% vs 1.59% of home value annually. On a median home, the higher-property-tax state collects $3,816 a year – real money that "no income tax" headlines ignore.
Affordability verdict
For a renter earning $80,000: net pay minus 12× rent leaves $47,192 of disposable income per year in Pennsylvania vs $49,834 in Ohio. Ohio wins the renter math in 2026.
For buyers the answer can flip: mortgage on the median home plus property tax totals roughly $1,872/month in Pennsylvania vs $1,700 in Ohio at 2026 rates. Run the rent vs buy calculator for your target metro before deciding.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Ohio cheaper than Pennsylvania?
Yes – Ohio's COL index of 92 runs 3% below Pennsylvania's 95, driven mostly by housing ($240,000 vs $270,000 median homes).
How do taxes compare between Pennsylvania and Ohio?
Pennsylvania: income tax 3.07% flat, 6.3% sales, 1.41% property. Ohio: 2.75% flat, 7.2% sales, 1.59% property.
What salary do I need in Ohio to match $80,000 in Pennsylvania?
About $77,500 pre-tax, using the COL ratio 92/95. After-tax differences are minor between these two states.
Which state is better for retirees?
Both tax retirement income to some degree – check pension/Social Security exemptions. Property tax matters most for owners: 1.41% (Pennsylvania) vs 1.59%.
Do these numbers include 2026 tax changes?
Yes – state rates reflect 2026 schedules (including phased flat-tax reductions where legislated) and the federal math uses 2026 IRS brackets and the $16,100 standard deduction.
Keep exploring
Related Cost of Living pages
- Indianapolis vs Columbus cost of living
- Detroit vs Cleveland cost of living
- California vs Ohio cost of living
- Philadelphia vs Phoenix cost of living
- Houston vs Chicago cost of living
- Charlotte vs Tampa cost of living
- Minneapolis vs Denver cost of living
- Nashville vs Austin cost of living
- New York City vs San Francisco cost of living
- Las Vegas vs Phoenix cost of living
- Moving to New York City: setup costs
- Moving from New York City to Miami
- Moving from San Francisco to Austin
- Moving from Seattle to Denver
- Moving from Boston to Miami
- Moving from Chicago to Phoenix
- Moving from Los Angeles to Denver
- Moving from New York City to Charlotte
- Moving from Los Angeles to Austin
- Shipping Volume Calculator
Plan the whole move, not just one number.
Every MovingCal tool shares the same 2026 dataset – carry your cities, salary, and countries from one calculator to the next.