Pennsylvania
96.2
composite · rank #25
- Housing
- 84.1
- Grocery
- 99
- Utilities
- 108.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Pennsylvania vs North Carolina Cost of Living
Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living by 0.4 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Pennsylvania is lower
0.4 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in North Carolina is roughly $99,586 in Pennsylvania.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
North Carolina
96.6
composite · rank #26
- Housing
- 91.7
- Grocery
- 100.8
- Utilities
- 94.3
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Pennsylvania | North Carolina | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99 | 100.8 | Pennsylvania |
| Housing | 84.1 | 91.7 | Pennsylvania |
| Utilities | 108.4 | 94.3 | North Carolina |
| Transportation | 104.2 | 92.3 | North Carolina |
| Health care | 95.1 | 108.4 | Pennsylvania |
| Misc. goods & services | 100.5 | 99.2 | North Carolina |
Grocery
Pennsylvania99
North Carolina100.8
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Housing
Pennsylvania84.1
North Carolina91.7
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Utilities
Pennsylvania108.4
North Carolina94.3
Lower cost: North Carolina
Transportation
Pennsylvania104.2
North Carolina92.3
Lower cost: North Carolina
Health care
Pennsylvania95.1
North Carolina108.4
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Misc. goods & services
Pennsylvania100.5
North Carolina99.2
Lower cost: North Carolina
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in North Carolina | Needed in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,208 | $49,793 |
| $75,000 | $75,312 | $74,689 |
| $100,000 | $100,416 | $99,586 |
| $150,000 | $150,624 | $149,379 |
| $250,000 | $251,040 | $248,965 |
$50,000 origin salary
In North Carolina$50,208
In Pennsylvania$49,793
$75,000 origin salary
In North Carolina$75,312
In Pennsylvania$74,689
$100,000 origin salary
In North Carolina$100,416
In Pennsylvania$99,586
$150,000 origin salary
In North Carolina$150,624
In Pennsylvania$149,379
Housing gap
Pennsylvania housing is 84.1; North Carolina is 91.7.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Pennsylvania is roughly $100,416 in North Carolina.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Pennsylvania vs North Carolina cost of living FAQs
Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living by 0.4 index points. The composite indexes are 96.2 in Pennsylvania and 96.6 in North Carolina (US average = 100).
About $100,416 in North Carolina would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Pennsylvania, based on the composite indexes.
About $99,586 in Pennsylvania would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in North Carolina.
Housing indexes are 84.1 in Pennsylvania and 91.7 in North Carolina. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Pennsylvania has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.