What Is a Good Salary in Pennsylvania in 2026?
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
A good salary in Pennsylvania is $55,000-$75,000 for a single person. Note: Pennsylvania has local income taxes that vary by municipality.
Quick Answer by City
| City |
Good Salary |
Comfortable |
Thriving |
| Philadelphia |
$70,000 |
$90,000 |
$130,000 |
| Pittsburgh |
$60,000 |
$75,000 |
$110,000 |
| Harrisburg |
$50,000 |
$65,000 |
$90,000 |
| Allentown |
$55,000 |
$70,000 |
$95,000 |
| Erie |
$45,000 |
$55,000 |
$80,000 |
Pennsylvania Cost of Living
| Category |
Pennsylvania |
National Avg |
Difference |
| Overall |
97 |
100 |
-3% |
| Housing |
95 |
100 |
-5% |
| Transportation |
100 |
100 |
0% |
| Healthcare |
98 |
100 |
-2% |
| Utilities |
105 |
100 |
+5% |
Philadelphia is 10-15% above average; Pittsburgh is about average.
Pennsylvania Tax Structure
Pennsylvania has two layers of income tax:
State Tax
Flat 3.07% on all income
Local Income Tax
| Location |
Local Tax |
| Philadelphia |
3.75% |
| Pittsburgh |
3.0% |
| Harrisburg |
2.0% |
| Suburbs (avg) |
1.0-1.5% |
Philadelphia residents pay 6.82% combined (state + local).
Take-Home Pay in Pennsylvania
| Gross Salary |
Federal |
State |
Local (Philly) |
FICA |
Take-Home |
| $60,000 |
$5,500 |
$1,842 |
$2,250 |
$4,590 |
$45,818 |
| $75,000 |
$8,000 |
$2,303 |
$2,813 |
$5,738 |
$56,146 |
| $100,000 |
$12,500 |
$3,070 |
$3,750 |
$7,650 |
$73,030 |
| $125,000 |
$18,000 |
$3,838 |
$4,688 |
$9,563 |
$88,911 |
Pittsburgh Take-Home (3% local)
| Gross Salary |
Federal |
State |
Local |
FICA |
Take-Home |
| $60,000 |
$5,500 |
$1,842 |
$1,800 |
$4,590 |
$46,268 |
| $75,000 |
$8,000 |
$2,303 |
$2,250 |
$5,738 |
$56,709 |
| $100,000 |
$12,500 |
$3,070 |
$3,000 |
$7,650 |
$73,780 |
Housing Costs by City
| City |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (1BR) |
| Philadelphia |
$280,000 |
$1,500 |
| Pittsburgh |
$240,000 |
$1,200 |
| Harrisburg |
$200,000 |
$1,000 |
| Allentown |
$280,000 |
$1,200 |
| Erie |
$150,000 |
$800 |
Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia
| Factor |
Pittsburgh |
Philadelphia |
| Median salary |
$55,000 |
$65,000 |
| Median home |
$240,000 |
$280,000 |
| 1BR rent |
$1,200 |
$1,500 |
| Local tax |
3.0% |
3.75% |
| Total income tax |
6.07% |
6.82% |
Pittsburgh offers better value with lower housing costs and slightly lower taxes.
Home Affordability by Salary
| Salary |
Affordable Home |
Monthly Payment |
Available In |
| $50,000 |
$175,000 |
$1,170 |
Erie |
| $65,000 |
$230,000 |
$1,520 |
Harrisburg, Pittsburgh suburbs |
| $80,000 |
$280,000 |
$1,870 |
Pittsburgh, Philly suburbs |
| $100,000 |
$350,000 |
$2,330 |
Most of Philadelphia |
