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Pennsylvania is a beautiful state in the United States that is spread in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions. It is often called the Keystone State. The average monthly cost of living in Pennsylvania without rent is around 1,250 USD, while rent in Pennsylvania ranges from 1,300 USD to 1,776 USD per month. The living expenses in Pennsylvania can vary according to a person’s living standards and preferences.
Many expats around the world move for jobs and study in Pennsylvania . If you plan to move to Pennsylvania, ensure you know all your average living expenses. In this blog post, we will discuss with you the average cost of living in Pennsylvania with various parameters, such as food and grocery costs, rent costs, transportation costs, utilities costs, and many others. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.
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Cost of Living in Pennsylvania for International Students
On average, the monthly cost of living in Pennsylvania for a single person, including rent, is 2,500 USD. This is around 4% lower than the national average. Because of this Pennsylvania attracts expats worldwide for its unmatched living standards, robust business ecosystem, and high-quality education system.
Before moving to Pennsylvania, students should know how much money they have to keep with them. We have categorised the average cost of living in Pennsylvania into different categories for immigrants who wish to move here.
Cost of Rent in Pennsylvania
Approx. 1500 USD is the average cost of rent in Pennsylvania for a single person around the city centre area, but it can vary according to the living standard a person prefers. The costs of living in Pennsylvania concerning apartment rent are as follows:
| Apartment Location | Approx. Monthly Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1500 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1100 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 2550 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1850 USD |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense
Cost of Grocery in Pennsylvania
Approx. 135 USD is the average monthly cost of groceries in Pennsylvania, including milk, bread, rice, water, vegetables, fruits and other groceries. As a daily expense, grocery costs can impact your cost of living in Pennsylvania. Below is the list of a few grocery items with their prices available in Pennsylvania:
| Grocery Item | Approx. Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | 1.21 USD |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 3.41 USD |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 4.21 USD |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 3.66 USD |
| Apples (1kg) | 5.12 USD |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.72 USD |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.78 USD |
| Tomato (1kg) | 5.30 USD |
| Potato (1kg) | 3.05 USD |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.34 USD |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | 1.30 USD |
| Cheese, Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other items | 96 USD |
Cost of Utilities in Pennsylvania
Approx. 570 CNY per month for a single person is a basic utility cost in Pennsylvania, which is relatively compared to the cost of living in Pennsylvania. Electricity, gas, a monthly mobile plan, and internet data are included in the utility cost in Pennsylvania. For your reference, we have given the Cost of Utilities in Pennsylvania for immigrant students in the country:
| Utility Type | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 120 USD |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 55.50 USD |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 61.70 USD |
Cost of Transportation in Pennsylvania
Approx. 82 USD is a monthly local transport cost in Pennsylvania for travelling around a local city. Its public transportation network includes buses, cars, pedicabs, taxis, bikes, and boats. The cost of transportation in Pennsylvania comes under the overall cost of living in Pennsylvania. Here, we have given various modes of transportation with their fare costs:
| Mode of Transport | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| Local transport ticket | 2.40 USD |
| Monthly ticket local transport | 81.80 USD |
| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 18.70 USD |
| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.98 USD |
Average Tuition Cost in Pennsylvania
The average tuition cost in Pennsylvania for undergraduate programs is around 60,000 USD, and for postgraduate programs, it is around 35,000 USD to 80,000 USD /year. Along with the average cost of living in Pennsylvania, the essential thing for you is the average tuition fees of top universities in Pennsylvania. For your reference, in the table, we have given the average tuition fees for some top universities in Pennsylvania.
| Universities | Approx. Tuition Cost (per year) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 63,829 USA |
| Villanova University | 64,906 USA |
| University of Pittsburgh | 39,890 USA |
| The Pennsylvania State University | 38,651 USA |
| Lehigh University | 62,180 USA |
| University of Pennsylvania | 66,104 USA |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense
Things to Consider Before Moving to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers something for everyone to enjoy living there and provides a quality lifestyle for its people. Before finalising the cost of living in Pennsylvania’s budget, a student should consider a few other essential things while moving to Pennsylvania for higher education. For your reference, we have included some crucial things you should consider before moving to Pennsylvania:
Income Tax in Pennsylvania
State income tax in Pennsylvania is 3.07% flat, and its state sales tax rate is 6%. However, it is important to note that the tax rate can affect the cost of living in Pennsylvania.
Climate in Pennsylvania
The climate in Pennsylvania has four distinct seasons for varied weather experiences. Summers are hot and humid, reaching an average of 77°F and peaking at 86°F. Winters are cold and snowy, with snowfall varying from 18 to 150 inches, with more snow in mountainous areas and offers plenty of fun in the snow.
Healthcare in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s healthcare system is also among the most efficient and ranked among the top in the world. All students who are going to study in Pennsylvania must have health insurance.
Work Opportunities in Pennsylvania
International students at universities in Pennsylvania are allowed to work on campus for no more than 20 hours per week during the semester. Part-time jobs can earn students $600, which can reduce the cost of living for students.
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FAQs
Answer: The monthly average cost of living in Pennsylvania, including rent, is 2,500 USD, but living expenses in Pennsylvania can vary according to the location and standard of lifestyle you select.
Answer: Yes, Pennsylvania is a good place for expats to live because of its standard of living and nature. The cost of living in Pennsylvania is more affordable than that of 30 other states. Moreover, taxes are low here; the income tax rate is a flat 3.07 % for everyone, and the sales tax is modest at 6%.
Answer: The average salary in Pennsylvania is 64,800 USD per year, or 31.16 USD per hour. This is much more than the average cost of living in Pennsylvania, meaning you can enjoy a leisurely life there and send extra money home.
Answer: The monthly cost of rent in Pennsylvania for a single person is around 1500 USD. It can vary according to the location a person selects, which makes the cost of living in Pennsylvania affordable.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Pennsylvania. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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