Pennsylvania
96.2
composite · rank #25
- Housing
- 84.1
- Grocery
- 99
- Utilities
- 108.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Pennsylvania vs Wisconsin Cost of Living
Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living by 1.2 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
1.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Wisconsin is roughly $98,768 in Pennsylvania.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Wisconsin
97.4
composite · rank #27
- Housing
- 96.6
- Grocery
- 100.9
- Utilities
- 96
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Pennsylvania | Wisconsin | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99 | 100.9 | Pennsylvania |
| Housing | 84.1 | 96.6 | Pennsylvania |
| Utilities | 108.4 | 96 | Wisconsin |
| Transportation | 104.2 | 89.8 | Wisconsin |
| Health care | 95.1 | 105.3 | Pennsylvania |
| Misc. goods & services | 100.5 | 97.7 | Wisconsin |
Grocery
Pennsylvania99
Wisconsin100.9
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Housing
Pennsylvania84.1
Wisconsin96.6
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Utilities
Pennsylvania108.4
Wisconsin96
Lower cost: Wisconsin
Transportation
Pennsylvania104.2
Wisconsin89.8
Lower cost: Wisconsin
Health care
Pennsylvania95.1
Wisconsin105.3
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Misc. goods & services
Pennsylvania100.5
Wisconsin97.7
Lower cost: Wisconsin
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Wisconsin | Needed in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,624 | $49,384 |
| $75,000 | $75,936 | $74,076 |
| $100,000 | $101,247 | $98,768 |
| $150,000 | $151,871 | $148,152 |
| $250,000 | $253,119 | $246,920 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Wisconsin$50,624
In Pennsylvania$49,384
$75,000 origin salary
In Wisconsin$75,936
In Pennsylvania$74,076
$100,000 origin salary
In Wisconsin$101,247
In Pennsylvania$98,768
$150,000 origin salary
In Wisconsin$151,871
In Pennsylvania$148,152
Housing gap
Pennsylvania housing is 84.1; Wisconsin is 96.6.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Pennsylvania is roughly $101,247 in Wisconsin.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Pennsylvania vs Wisconsin cost of living FAQs
Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living by 1.2 index points. The composite indexes are 96.2 in Pennsylvania and 97.4 in Wisconsin (US average = 100).
About $101,247 in Wisconsin would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Pennsylvania, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,768 in Pennsylvania would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Wisconsin.
Housing indexes are 84.1 in Pennsylvania and 96.6 in Wisconsin. 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.