Quick answer
Pennsylvania has lower average 1BR rent ($1,540/mo vs $1,680/mo). State income tax: Pennsylvania (3.07%) vs Colorado (4.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $1,596/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Colorado vs Pennsylvania
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Colorado vs Pennsylvania at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,680 | $1,540 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $743K | $253K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Colorado Springs ($1,450) | Pittsburgh ($1,280) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Boulder ($1,850) | Philadelphia ($1,800) |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 3.07% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 57/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 3 | 2 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Pennsylvania (3.07%).
Salary $80K
$1,064
/year saved in Pennsylvania
Salary $120K
$1,596
/year saved in Pennsylvania
Salary $200K
$2,660
/year saved in Pennsylvania
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Colorado (CO)
Tax reality
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax — lower than California or New York but not zero. The TABOR amendment caps annual state revenue growth, which occasionally triggers tax refunds (a few hundred dollars per taxpayer) but also starves state services. Property tax is low (~0.5% effective).
Top cities (3 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Altitude takes 3-6 weeks to adjust to and permanently affects endurance sports performance vs sea level. Some people never fully adjust.
- ✕Winter driving the I-70 corridor to ski resorts is regularly miserable. Traction laws can close passes entirely, and Friday/Sunday traffic in season is 3-5 hour crawls for a 90-minute drive.
- ✕Water is structurally tight. Denver specifically has growing supply concerns as the population expands and Colorado River allocations contract. Homes with big lawns are increasingly a liability.
Pennsylvania (PA)
Tax reality
Pennsylvania has a 3.07% flat state income tax — among the lowest in any income-tax state. No tax on retirement income (401k withdrawals, Social Security, pensions). Property tax varies widely by local school district — Philly suburbs can be 2%+, rural counties under 1%.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are real. Pittsburgh averages 41 inches of snow per year and stays overcast from November through April. Philadelphia is milder but still has freezing temps and 18-22 inches of average snowfall.
- ✕Philadelphia has ongoing public safety concerns in specific neighborhoods — Kensington in particular has a severe open-air drug market. Center City, South Philly, West Philly, and Northern Liberties are generally fine. Knowing neighborhoods matters.
- ✕School districts in Philly proper have struggled for decades. Suburban districts (Lower Merion, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Radnor) are among the best-funded in the US but come with $900K+ home prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado or Pennsylvania cheaper to live in?
Pennsylvania has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,540/mo vs $1,680/mo in Colorado, a $140/mo difference. Home prices: Pennsylvania median is $253K vs $743K.
Colorado vs Pennsylvania: which has lower state income tax?
Pennsylvania has lower state income tax (3.07%) vs 4.4% in Colorado. On an $80K salary that's $1,064/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $2,660/year.
Should I move from Colorado to Pennsylvania?
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax — lower than California or New York but not zero. The TABOR amendment caps annual state revenue growth, which occasionally triggers tax refunds (a few hundred dollars per taxpayer) but also starves state services. Property tax is low (~0.5% effective).
What are the best cities in Colorado vs Pennsylvania?
Colorado's largest metros include Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder. Pennsylvania's largest metros include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Colorado suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.