State Comparison

Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts has higher incomes, Pennsylvania has lower state income tax, and Massachusetts gets more sunshine.

Massachusetts

MA • Northeast

Better quality of life

Quality of Life Score

60.23

Pennsylvania

PA • Northeast

Quality of Life Score

57.90

Massachusetts

13 / 31

metrics won

Score

Pennsylvania

18 / 31

metrics won

Wins

PA wins Housing

PA wins Quality of Life

PA wins Climate

MA wins Income

Quality of Life

Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.

Massachusetts winner

60.23

Pennsylvania

57.90

Massachusetts scores higher on quality of life — 2.33 points difference.

Quick Take

Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania

This quick read mixes affordability, housing, income, politics, density, and climate so the biggest tradeoffs show up fast.

Massachusetts is about 4.4 times smaller than Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania has a larger population than Massachusetts by 5,972,783 people.
Pennsylvania has the lower cost-of-living index. Pennsylvania is at 101.7, while Massachusetts is at 148.8.
After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $104.78 of local buying power in Pennsylvania, versus $95.55 in Massachusetts.

Overview

Key differences overview

These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.

Overall Affordability

Pennsylvania is 47.1 points cheaper overall

Pennsylvania has the lower cost-of-living index. Pennsylvania is at 101.7, while Massachusetts is at 148.8.

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Real Dollar Value

$100 goes $9.23 further in Pennsylvania

After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $104.78 of local buying power in Pennsylvania, versus $95.55 in Massachusetts.

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Income

Massachusetts income is 32.9% higher

Massachusetts has the higher median household income at $96,505, compared with $72,627 in Pennsylvania.

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Jobs

Massachusetts minimum wage is $7.75 higher

Massachusetts has the higher statewide minimum wage at $15.00/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in Pennsylvania.

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Housing

Massachusetts homes cost about 2.2x more

Pennsylvania has the lower median home value at $231,600, versus $510,400 in Massachusetts.

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Taxes

Pennsylvania has lower state income tax

Pennsylvania has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 3.07%, compared with 5.00% in Massachusetts.

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Full Comparison

Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Capital City The official state capital.	Boston	Harrisburg	Details ->
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Blue	Swing State	Details ->
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	7,029,917	13,002,700	Details ->
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$96,505	$72,627	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	148.8	101.7	Details ->
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$510,400	$231,600	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	1.07%	1.30%	Details ->
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	5.00%	3.07%	Details ->
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$15.00/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$3.933/gal	$4.152/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	31.16 c/kWh	20.19 c/kWh	Details ->
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	60.23	57.90	Details ->
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	47.9°F	48.8°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	98 days	87 days	Details ->
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	10,554 sq mi	46,054 sq mi	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	666.1 per sq mi	282.3 per sq mi	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	February 6, 1788 (#6)	December 12, 1787 (#2)	Details ->

Population -> Median Income -> Cost of Living -> Median Housing Value -> Property Tax -> State Income Tax -> Minimum Wage -> Gas Price -> Electricity Rates -> Livability Score -> Average Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Land Area -> Population Density ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	7,029,917	13,002,700	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	666.1 per sq mi	282.3 per sq mi	Details ->
Bachelor's Degree Adults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023).	47.8%	35.3%	Details ->
Advanced Degree Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).	22.4%	14.4%	Details ->

Population -> Population Density -> Bachelor's Degree -> Advanced Degree ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$15.00/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->

Minimum Wage ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	60.23	57.90	Details ->
Best State to Live In Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.	60.23	57.90	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	148.8	101.7	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$3.933/gal	$4.152/gal	Details ->
Gas Tax State gasoline excise tax in cents per gallon. Lower = lower state fuel tax burden.	24.00 c/gal	57.60 c/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	31.16 c/kWh	20.19 c/kWh	Details ->
Commute Time Average commute time in minutes.	30.4 min	25.7 min	Details ->

Livability Score -> Best State to Live In -> Cost of Living -> Gas Price -> Gas Tax -> Electricity Rates -> Commute Time ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	47.9°F	48.8°F	Details ->
Summer Temperature Average statewide summer temperature across June, July, and August.	68.0°F	68.6°F	Details ->
Winter Temperature Average statewide winter temperature across December, January, and February.	27.4°F	28.4°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	98 days	87 days	Details ->
Annual Precipitation Average annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches.	47.7 in	42.9 in	Details ->

Average Temperature -> Summer Temperature -> Winter Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Annual Precipitation ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$510,400	$231,600	Details ->
Median Gross Rent Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.	$1,678/mo	$1,108/mo	Details ->
Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Owner Costs Without Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households without a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Homeownership Rate Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied.	62.8%	70.8%	Details ->
Home Value to Income Ratio Median home value divided by median household income.	5.29x	3.19x	Details ->
Rent to Income Ratio Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.	20.9%	18.3%	Details ->
Owner Costs to Income Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income (ACS 2023).	19.5%	16.8%	Details ->

Median Housing Value -> Median Gross Rent -> Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage -> Owner Costs Without Mortgage -> Homeownership Rate -> Home Value to Income Ratio -> Rent to Income Ratio -> Owner Costs to Income ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	5.00%	3.07%	Details ->
State Sales Tax State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).	6.25%	6.00%	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	1.07%	1.30%	Details ->

State Income Tax -> State Sales Tax -> Property Tax ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Blue	Swing State	Details ->
Presidential Voting Margin Signed 2024 presidential margin in percentage points (positive = Democratic, negative = Republican).	Dem +25.20	Rep +1.70	Details ->
Swing State / Battleground Whether the state was part of the core 2024 battleground map.	Not a battleground	Battleground	Details ->
Governor Party Current governor's party (NCSL partisan composition, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Democratic	Details ->
State House Control Current partisan control of the lower legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Democratic	Details ->
State Senate Control Current partisan control of the upper legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Republican	Details ->
Trifecta Whether one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Democratic Trifecta	No Trifecta	Details ->

Presidential Voting Margin ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Gun Laws Status Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).	Restrictive	Restrictive	Details ->
Alcohol Laws Whether the state uses a control-state or license-state model for distilled-spirit sales (NABCA directory accessed April 6, 2026).	License State	Control State	Details ->
Marijuana Legalization Current statewide marijuana status: Legal, Medical, or Illegal (NCSL state cannabis laws page updated June 27, 2025).	Legal	Medical	Details ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	10,554 sq mi	46,054 sq mi	Details ->
Highest Point Highest natural point in the state, with summit elevation.	Mount Greylock (3,491 ft)	Mount Davis (3,213 ft)	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	February 6, 1788 (#6)	December 12, 1787 (#2)	Details ->
Capital City The official state capital.	Boston	Harrisburg	Details ->
Region U.S. Census Bureau geographic region.	Northeast	Northeast	Details ->

Land Area -> Highest Point ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Life Expectancy Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).	80.0 yrs	76.7 yrs	Details ->
Older Adult Health Outcomes Composite score for comparing state health outcomes for older adults, using life expectancy, insurance coverage, and obesity prevalence.	88.9	60.7	Details ->
Uninsured Rate Share of residents without health insurance coverage.	2.6%	5.4%	Details ->
Obesity Rate Adult obesity prevalence.	27.0%	34.2%	Details ->

Life Expectancy -> Older Adult Health Outcomes -> Uninsured Rate -> Obesity Rate ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Violent Crime Rate Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).	283.3	299.5	Details ->
Property Crime Rate Property crime incidents per 100,000 residents.	1086.4	1612.3	Details ->

Violent Crime Rate -> Property Crime Rate ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$96,505	$72,627	Details ->
Regional Price Parity Official price level relative to the national average (100 = U.S. average).	110.4	97.4	Details ->
Purchasing Power of $100 Real local value of $100 after adjusting for BEA Regional Price Parities.	$95.55	$104.78	Details ->
Poverty Rate Share of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023).	10.4%	12.0%	Details ->
Employment/Population Ratio Employed civilian population as a share of the adult population (ACS 2023).	64.4%	60.0%	Details ->
Unemployment Rate Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025).	4.8%	4.2%	Details ->
Job Growth Change in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS).	0.0%	1.2%	Details ->

Median Income -> Regional Price Parity -> Purchasing Power of $100 -> Poverty Rate -> Employment/Population Ratio -> Unemployment Rate -> Job Growth ->

Metric	MA	PA	Deep dive
Retirement Score Composite score for comparing states for retirement, combining affordability, taxes, housing, health, safety, and winter climate.	56.2	64.9	Details ->

Retirement Score ->

Intent-Oriented

Which state fits your priorities better?

Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.

Saving Money

Pennsylvania is cheaper overall

Overall cost-of-living index: 101.7 vs 148.8 in Massachusetts. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.

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Gas Price

Massachusetts is cheaper at the pump

Average regular gas price: $3.933/gal in Massachusetts vs $4.152/gal in Pennsylvania. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.

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Minimum Wage

Massachusetts has the higher minimum wage

State minimum wage: $15.00/hr in Massachusetts vs $7.25/hr in Pennsylvania. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.

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Electricity Rates

Pennsylvania has cheaper electricity

Average residential electricity rate: 20.19 c/kWh in Pennsylvania vs 31.16 c/kWh in Massachusetts. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.

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Buying a Home

Pennsylvania is more attainable for buyers

Home-value-to-income ratio: 3.19x in Pennsylvania vs 5.29x in Massachusetts. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.

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Renting

Pennsylvania is easier for renters

Rent-to-income ratio: 18.3% in Pennsylvania vs 20.9% in Massachusetts. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.

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Property Tax

Massachusetts has lower property taxes

Effective property tax rate: 1.07% in Massachusetts vs 1.30% in Pennsylvania. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.

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Battleground Politics

Pennsylvania is a swing state

Pennsylvania was one of the core 2024 battleground states, while Massachusetts was not. That usually means tighter races and more campaign attention.

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State Color

Massachusetts votes bluer

2024 presidential margin: Dem +25.20 in Massachusetts vs Rep +1.70 in Pennsylvania.

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Government Control

Massachusetts has a trifecta

Massachusetts currently has democratic trifecta, while Pennsylvania does not. That usually means state laws can move faster in Massachusetts.

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Alcohol Laws

Pennsylvania uses a control-state system

Pennsylvania uses a control-state system for liquor sales, while Massachusetts uses a license-state system.

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Marijuana Legalization

Massachusetts has broader marijuana access

Massachusetts currently rates as Legal, while Pennsylvania rates as Medical under statewide marijuana law.

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Lower Taxes

Pennsylvania has lower income taxes

Top state income tax rate: 3.07% in Pennsylvania vs 5.00% in Massachusetts.

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More Space

Pennsylvania feels less crowded

Population density: 282.3 per sq mi in Pennsylvania vs 666.1 per sq mi in Massachusetts. Lower density usually means more space and less day-to-day congestion.

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Shorter Commute

Pennsylvania has the shorter commute

Average commute: 25.7 min in Pennsylvania vs 30.4 min in Massachusetts.

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Job Opportunities

Pennsylvania looks better for job seekers

Unemployment rate: 4.2% in Pennsylvania vs 4.8% in Massachusetts. Pennsylvania also leads on job growth.

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Remote Workers

Massachusetts looks better for remote workers

Livability score: 60.23 in Massachusetts vs 57.90 in Pennsylvania.

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Families

Massachusetts looks better for families

Massachusetts wins more family-oriented signals in this matchup, including violent crime rate, life expectancy, uninsured rate compared with Pennsylvania.

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Warmer Climate

Pennsylvania is warmer overall

Average annual temperature: 48.8°F in Pennsylvania vs 47.9°F in Massachusetts.

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More Sunshine

Massachusetts gets more sun

Sunny days per year: 98 days in Massachusetts vs 87 days in Pennsylvania.

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Detailed Metric Pages

Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.

Population

Pennsylvania has a larger population than Massachusetts by 5,972,783 people.

Population Density

Massachusetts is more densely populated than Pennsylvania.

Bachelor's Degree

Massachusetts has a higher college-educated share than Pennsylvania.

Advanced Degree

Massachusetts has a higher advanced-degree share than Pennsylvania.

Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania - Common Questions

Q Is Massachusetts cheaper to live in than Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Pennsylvania scores 101.7 versus 148.8 for Massachusetts - a gap of 47.1 points.

Q Where does $100 go further - Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

$100 goes further in Pennsylvania. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $104.78 in Pennsylvania, compared with $95.55 in Massachusetts.

Q Which state is bigger - Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is larger, covering 46,054 sq mi compared with 10,554 sq mi for Massachusetts - roughly 4.4x the size.

Q Does Massachusetts or Pennsylvania have more people?

Pennsylvania has the larger population at 13,002,700, compared with 7,029,917 in Massachusetts.

Q Which state has higher household income - Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

Massachusetts has the higher median household income at $96,505, versus $72,627 in Pennsylvania.

Q Which state has lower income taxes - Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has the lower state income tax top rate at 3.07%, compared with 5.00% in Massachusetts.

Q Is housing cheaper in Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

Homes are cheaper in Pennsylvania, where the median home value is $231,600, versus $510,400 in Massachusetts.

Q Which state is more densely populated - Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

Massachusetts is more densely populated at 666.1 per sq mi people per sq mi. Pennsylvania is more spread out at 282.3 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related Comparisons

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Maine vs Pennsylvania

Methodology

All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.

Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.