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Cost of Living in Pennsylvania: A Comprehensive Guide on Pennsylvania’s Expense

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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. 

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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.

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 LocationApprox. Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre1500 USD
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre1100 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre2550 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre1850 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 ItemApprox. 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 items96 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 TypeApprox. Monthly Cost
Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc.120 USD
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data55.50 USD
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)61.70 USD
Source: livingcost.org

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 TransportApprox. Monthly Cost
Local transport ticket2.40 USD
Monthly ticket local transport81.80 USD
Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi18.70 USD
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal0.98 USD
Source: livingcost.org

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.

UniversitiesApprox. Tuition Cost (per year)
Carnegie Mellon University63,829 USA
Villanova University64,906 USA
University of Pittsburgh39,890 USA
The Pennsylvania State University38,651 USA
Lehigh University62,180 USA
University of Pennsylvania66,104 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.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected ExpensesCost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense
Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected ExpensesCost of Living in Perth: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Living in Brussels: A Guide on Expected ExpensesCost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs

Q1. What is the Cost of Living in Pennsylvania?

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.

Q.2. Is Pennsylvania a good place to live?

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%.

Q3. What is a good salary in Pennsylvania?

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.

Q.4. How much is rent in Pennsylvania?

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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