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California vs Pennsylvania: prices, pay and taxes
| California | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 110.7 | 97.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $80,690 | $65,730 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $72,878 | $67,366 |
| Take-home on $100,000* | $73,972 | $76,110 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $76,081 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Population | 39,242,785 | 12,986,518 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA, 2026 rules, no city or county taxes.
Compare with another state or city
Cost of living in California cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 113.6 | $77,270 | $968,608 |
| San Francisco | 115.6 | $100,220 | $1,149,215 |
| Riverside | 106.4 | $65,160 | $585,378 |
| San Diego | 111.9 | $79,060 | $946,365 |
| Sacramento | 106.7 | $77,150 | $582,707 |
| San Jose | 110.4 | $119,230 | $1,610,466 |
Cost of living in Pennsylvania cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 102.6 | $71,730 | $390,463 |
| Pittsburgh | 94.7 | $65,230 | $231,356 |
| Allentown | 100.0 | $64,090 | $363,989 |
| Harrisburg | 98.7 | $63,660 | $312,126 |
| Scranton | 93.6 | $56,800 | $227,793 |
| Lancaster | 98.3 | $59,620 | $388,207 |
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Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. State average: all occupations, employment-weighted over the state's metro and nonmetro areas.
- Taxes: single filer with the standard deduction; federal income tax with 2026 brackets (IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 and Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000), and each state's 2026 rules as published by its revenue department.
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