Quick answer
Texas has lower average 1BR rent ($1,327/mo vs $1,540/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs Pennsylvania (3.07%) — on a $120K salary that's $3,684/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Pennsylvania vs Texas
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
Pennsylvania vs Texas at a Glance
| Metric | Pennsylvania | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,540 | $1,327 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $253K ✓ | $379K |
| Cheapest city | Pittsburgh ($1,280) | El Paso ($1,050) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Philadelphia ($1,800) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | 3.07% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 71/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 7 |
✓ 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: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$2,456
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$3,684
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$6,140
/year saved in Texas
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
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.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (7 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania or Texas cheaper to live in?
Texas has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,327/mo vs $1,540/mo in Pennsylvania, a $213/mo difference. Home prices: Pennsylvania median is $253K vs $379K.
Pennsylvania vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas has lower state income tax (None) vs 3.07% in Pennsylvania. On an $80K salary that's $2,456/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $6,140/year.
Should I move from Pennsylvania to Texas?
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%.
What are the best cities in Pennsylvania vs Texas?
Pennsylvania's largest metros include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Pennsylvania suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.