Moving from Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD to State College, PA
About 3,421 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in State College, PA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 23.9% of income in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD and 20.2% in State College, PA.
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD State College, PA (monthly)
| Monthly | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | State College, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,395 | $1,177 | −$218 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $179 | $179 | $0 |
| Unemployment Compensation (UC) – employee2026 tax law | $4 | $4 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Philadelphia. | $218 | $0 | −$218 |
| Take-home pay | $4,439 | $4,656 | +$218 |
| Housing | $1,558 | $1,282 | −$276 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,558 | $1,282 | −$276 |
| Food | $427 | $444 | +$17 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 100.7 | $427 | $444 | +$17 |
| Transportation | $175 | $175 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.36/gal (Central Atlantic (PADD)) | $175 | $175 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $30 | +$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $30 | +$1 |
| Other goods & services | $999 | $992 | −$7 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 100.7 | $484 | $503 | +$19 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 97.7 | $515 | $489 | −$27 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,251 | $1,734 | +$483 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 19.2% of income in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD and 15.5% in State College, PA.
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD State College, PA (monthly)
| Monthly | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | State College, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,923 | $1,549 | −$374 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $307 | $307 | $0 |
| Unemployment Compensation (UC) – employee2026 tax law | $7 | $7 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Philadelphia. | $374 | $0 | −$374 |
| Take-home pay | $8,078 | $8,451 | +$374 |
| Housing | $1,860 | $1,537 | −$323 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,860 | $1,537 | −$323 |
| Childcare | $2,047 | $2,120 | +$73 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2020 · preschool $225/wk, school-age $153/wk (2020 prices, Centre County, PA); × 1.2945 BLS CPI day care, 2020 to 2026-08; Centre County, PA has no 2022 NDCP price; the latest published year, 2020, is used | $2,047 | $2,120 | +$73 |
| Food | $1,242 | $1,291 | +$49 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 100.7 | $1,242 | $1,291 | +$49 |
| Transportation | $349 | $349 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.36/gal (Central Atlantic (PADD)) | $349 | $349 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $30 | +$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $30 | +$1 |
| Other goods & services | $999 | $992 | −$7 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 100.7 | $484 | $503 | +$19 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 97.7 | $515 | $489 | −$27 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,551 | $2,131 | +$580 |
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD vs State College, PA at a glance
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | State College, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 102.6 | 96.8 |
| Housing price level | 113.1 | 85.7 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,558 | $1,282 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,860 | $1,537 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,216 | $1,977 |
| Median home value | $351,900 | $323,500 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.44% | 1.05% |
| Median household income | $91,289 | $74,291 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $235 (2020 price) | $240 (2020 price) |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | Philadelphia | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6% | 6% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.36 | $4.36 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $162 | $162 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in State College, PA to keep my Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, about $62,038 in State College, PA (−11.4%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $110,980. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is State College, PA cheaper than Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, State College, PA is at 96.8 and Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD at 102.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$483 a month in State College, PA.
How many people move from Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD to State College, PA?+
About 3,421 people a year (±415), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.