Pennsylvania Vs Ohio: Which Is The Better State?

When it comes to finding somewhere new and exciting to live, you’ll have plenty of options in the Midwest. Pennsylvania and Ohio are excellent states for people looking for a little bit of everything – from big city life with world-class amenities or living off the beaten path in charming towns filled with natural beauty! Let’s take a closer look at these two midwestern gems so you can decide on your perfect place to live.

Cost of living

When it comes to overall affordable living, Ohio beats Pennsylvania, especially in regard to housing costs.

Sperling’s Best Places is one standard for measuring the cost of living, and it sets 100 as the national average. Any scores above 100 show that an area is more expensive, while anything below means it costs less to live there.

Pennsylvania’s overall score of 94.6 is about 12% more than Ohio’s 82.7. This means that the overall cost of living in Ohio is slightly less than in Pennsylvania. Look at them side-by-side.

Keep in mind this is a big-picture look. Living in a major city like Philadelphia will naturally cost more than living in a small town like Mercer, PA.

Population growth

Is a growing population a blessing or curse? More people can mean more opportunities, with added options for shopping and recreational amenities. But it could also bring higher prices, urban sprawl, and increased living costs, making this debate complex.

Pennsylvania and Ohio’s populations are pretty similar, given that Pennsylvania is the larger state by land mass. However, data from the US Census Bureau shows Ohio is reporting a slight population loss of 0.4% from 2020 to 2022. Pennsylvania also lost 0.2% of its population.

Data found Ohio was one of the top ten states people were leaving. The chief reason to leave was for work, followed by retirement to warmer climates. More people are moving out of Pennsylvania than in for similar reasons.

The most populated counties in Ohio were concentrated around the state’s major metro: Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Franklin (Columbus), and Hamilton (Cleveland).

Pennsylvania’s densest counties were Philadelphia, Allegheny (Pittsburgh metro), and Montgomery (Philadelphia metro).

Real Estate Taxes

The winner for property taxes is Ohio, but both states are on the higher end when it comes to property taxes. Pennsylvania ranked ninth for its tax burden, while Ohio was no. 11.

The average effective tax rate expresses how much tax is owed compared to a home’s value and can be used as a comparison tool among states.

Compared to the national average of 1.08%, Pennsylvania homeowners faced an above-average property tax rate of 1.58% in 2022. Even though it isn’t as high as that of its neighbors, New Jersey and New York, residents paid a median total levy of $3,442 in 2022.

Ohio had an average effective tax rate of 1.56%, according to Rocket Mortgage’s analysis, so still high but slightly less than its neighbor.

For comparison, New Jersey had the highest average at 2.49%, while Hawaii held its place as having the lowest at 0.28%.

Taxes for Retirees

People are leaving the states for other retirement destinations, but there are perks for those who choose to stay.

In Ohio, any portion of Social Security benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits, or US Military Retirement Benefits are exempt from taxation. Ohio provides a few tax credit options based on any retirement income included in your federal adjusted gross income. Two credits are based on retirement income, and two are for taxpayers 65 and older, as long as the adjusted gross income is under $100,000.

A household exemption is available for those at least 65 years old, permanently disabled, or the widow at least 59 years old of a spouse who received the exemption. It removes $25,000 of the home’s market value from property taxes if the filer’s household income is $34,600 or less.

There is no estate or inheritance tax.

In Pennsylvania, Social Security, railroad, government, military, and private employer benefits paid from retirement plans are generally not subject to taxation once you reach retirement age.

There is a property tax exemption for homeowners or renters 65 and older as long as the annual household income does not exceed $35,000.

There is an inheritance tax, but it doesn’t apply to the decedent’s spouse, parents (if 21 years old or younger), grandparents, lineal descendants, or son/daughter-in-law. It is 12% for sibling-inherited properties and 15% for all other heirs. There is a 5% discount if the tax is paid within three months of the decedent’s death.

Job Market

Ohio had the nation’s seventh-largest economy based on the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018. It also ranked fourth among the states in manufacturing gross domestic product. It has strategic inland waterways like the Ohio River and Cuyahoga River, plus a crisscrossing interstate roadway system. Ports along the Great Lakes allow it to transmit goods into and from Canada.

Ohio is a leading manufacturer of plastics, rubber, metals, electrical equipment, and automobiles. Multiple companies have headquarters in Ohio, from regional chains like Charley’s, to national names like Marathon Petroleum, Kroger, and Procter & Gamble. The private sector is also strong with the extensive healthcare system in Cleveland. The December 2022 unemployment rate was 4.2%, above the US 3.5%.

However, Pennsylvania’s economy is the sixth largest based on the GDP at $815 billion in 2022. It’s highly diversified, with manufacturing, education, healthcare, and transportation as significant sectors. Multiple corporate headquarters, including 24 Fortune 500 companies, have chosen Pennsylvania as their home, while cities like Pittsburgh are reinventing themselves as tech and startup hubs.

The state is working towards a business-friendly environment, and its corporate income tax is on track to drop to 4.99% by 2031. It’s part of the reason Pennsylvania has multiple industries with a large footprint. It has identified its leading industries as food processing, advanced manufacturing, energy, production, professional services, life sciences and medical technology, distribution, plastic and chemical manufacturing, and robotics. Top companies include Aramark, Kraft-Heinz, Giant Eagle, Highmark, Health Care Services Group, and AmerisourceBergen.

Its December 2022 unemployment rate was 3.9%.

Education

When it came to public k-12 education, Pennsylvania topped Ohio as no. 17 vs. no. 20 in the US News and World Report, but Ohio scored higher overall. Pennsylvania’s low-ranked higher education score pulled this number down.

 A quick side-by-side of their public school systems.

*Figures are from 2021-2022, from ohiobythenumbers.

**This number is an estimate of K-12 schools and does not include charter schools. The figure may be closer to 3,287.

Ohio’s top higher education institutions include the nationally ranked Case Western University, Ohio State University, and Miami University–Oxford. Other top schools include the University of Dayton and the University of Cincinnati.

Even though Pennsylvania’s higher education ranked last, it has some of the nation’s top-ranked colleges. These include the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Lehigh University. Other well-regarded schools include Villanova University and the University of Pittsburgh. Overall, PA has more choices for higher education than Ohio.

City Living

What’s not to love about our cities? Every metro has a distinct culture and attractions that draw people to live in the region. Both states have urban hubs that offer modern amenities and cultural attractions.

In Ohio, the cities of Cleveland and Columbus are the two largest metropolitan areas. Cleveland sits on Lake Erie and is known for attractions like the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. The state capital Columbus is a green city with ample metro parks, but it’s also a fashion and arts hub. Cincinnati on the Ohio River features historic neighborhoods, world-class museums, and a vibrant culinary scene.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has several cities of note. The “City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia, is the state largest city and home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and a thriving food scene. Pittsburgh is reinventing itself as a tech hub. It has plenty of hip restaurants and art galleries to explore and boasts some of the best city views in the state. Other great cities to check out include Allentown, Erie, and Reading.

Climate

Being at the same latitude, both states experience a four-season climate with warm summers, snowy winters, and beautiful fall and spring seasons. Generally, they are classified as humid continental climates.

However, given the diverse geography, what you’ll experience will vary a bit in different parts of the states.

In northern Ohio and northwestern PA, lake-effect snows can drop feet of snow in the winter season. That’s why these areas are more popular for skiing, but as a resident, be ready to dig out over a winter storm.

Southeastern Pennsylvania has the warmest climate, being closer to the Atlantic coast and further south. However, offshore prevailing winds largely limit the coast’s influence on the state’s climate.

Ohio can experience warmer temperatures than Pennsylvania in the summer, mostly on its southern flatlands. It averages about 40 inches of rain annually and 28 inches of snow. Pennsylvania gets more rain, 44 inches overall, and has more sunny days.

Outdoor Recreation

Both states excel when it comes to pristine, forested woodlands. Both have slices of the Appalachian Mountains, rolling countryside, large freshwater lakes, and famous rivers.

Pennsylvania has more forested land than Ohio. The landscape changes from flat coastal plains to the Catskills Mountains. There’s a whole region known as the Pennsylvania Wilds! The state is a sportsman’s paradise, perfect for fly fishing and hunting. The parks and forests contain facilities for numerous outdoor adventurers.

The state has 21 ski resorts taking advantage of the changing elevation and lake-effect snowfalls. That same elevation change makes it perfect for mountain biking. For example, Reading PA’s Great Reading Trails has more than 125 miles of mountain biking trails.

Hiking spans miles across thousands of acres, including sections of the Appalachian Trail. But if you’d rather hoof it, two million acres are available for horseback trails. Or, you can go over water on 85,000 miles of rivers and streams renowned for kayaking, boating, and fishing. The state is partly on the Lake Erie shoreline, while the southeast Delaware River flows into the bay and the Atlantic.

Ohio’s landscape rolls from flat farmlands to lush hills dotted with rolling fields and wooded forests. The western and northern areas are part of the Appalachian region and cut through with valleys and rolling hills. The parks in this region are ideal for mountain bikers, backpackers, cyclists, and birders.

Meanwhile, the northern edge runs along Lake Erie. The stunning shoreline is home to some of Ohio’s iconic sites and vacation destinations like Kelley’s Island and Put-in-Bay. It has more man-made reservoirs and Lake Erie shoreline than Pennsylvania for boating and fishing. Its rivers and streams have stunning views of nature in the Buckeye State.

Many cities have an extensive Metro Parks system with natural play areas for children, hiking trails, biking paths, and nature preserves.

Sports

Both states have multiple professional sports teams playing across various leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. The local teams are:

Ohio: Cleveland Browns (NFL), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), Cincinnati Reds (MLB), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), FC Cincinnati (MLS), Columbus Crew (MLS), Cleveland Guardians (MLB)

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Philadelphia 76ers (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Both states’ professional sports teams have been Super Bowl winners, NBA champions, and Stanley Cup championships.

Both states have fierce sports rivalries in the Big 10 college division. For instance, The Ohio State University football rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines has been called the “greatest rivalry in college sports” by some experts. Duquesne and Pittsburgh Universities have an intense basketball rivalry, while the Philadelphia Big 5 play a tournament each year to determine the local top school.

Culture

One folk culture element both states share is the Amish and Mennonite peoples, although Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country may be more well known. Ohio is home to more Amish people than any other state, encompassing 31 distinct settlements and over 76,000 adherents. There is a large concentration around Holmes County and Gauge County.

Pennsylvania’s Amish population is more dispersed but still close in size to Ohio’s. Lancaster County has the largest Amish settlement.

Pennsylvania’s attractions include historic Philadelphia, where you can explore the Liberty Bell and famous landmarks like Independence Hall. Historical attractions are across this state, as it played a critical role in colonial America and the American Revolution.

The arts flourish here, as evidenced at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Ballet. Over in Pittsburgh, you can visit the Andy Warhol Museum or the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Pennsylvania has some cultural quirks, like Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day or dropping a Hershey’s Kiss on New Year’s Eve. The traditional meal on this day is pork and sauerkraut, a call back to the area’s strong Dutch and German migrant roots.

Meanwhile, Ohio’s attractions are more diverse, from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to the famous NASCAR race tracks and aviation museums in Dayton. Nature lovers will be drawn to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hocking Hills State Park. And, as the state is home to more Presidents than any other, it has many historic homes and monuments to the country’s leaders.

Plus, there’s no shortage of theaters, museums, galleries, and live music venues in cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Pennsylvania vs Ohio

Pennsylvania vs Ohio: Which state has the lowest cost of living?

Ohio generally has a lower cost of living than Pennsylvania. According to various sources, Ohio’s overall cost of living index is 82, approximately 11% lower than Pennsylvania’s (cost of living index 94). Housing is a significant factor in this difference, with the median home price in Ohio being around $233,000, while in Pennsylvania, it’s $272,400. This makes housing in Ohio notably more affordable.

Furthermore, essential expenses such as groceries and transportation are cheaper in Ohio. For instance, monthly groceries have an affordable cost in Ohio, averaging around $278 per person, compared to slightly higher costs in Pennsylvania, especially in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Transportation costs also favor Ohio, with annual expenses significantly lower than those in Pennsylvania. Overall, Ohio offers lower living costs across most categories if you want a more affordable state.

Are taxes higher in Ohio or Pennsylvania?

When comparing taxes between Ohio and Pennsylvania, it’s essential to consider both state income taxes and other common taxes like sales and property taxes. Pennsylvania’s flat state income tax rate is 3.07%, which applies uniformly to all residents. Conversely, Ohio has an income tax system with rates that range between 2.765% to 3.99% depending on income level.​

Sales taxes rates also differ between the two states. Ohio’s state sales tax rate is 5.75%, but when local taxes are added, the combined rate can be as high as 8% in some areas. Pennsylvania has a state sales tax rate of 6%, with an additional 2% in Philadelphia and 1% in Allegheny County.

Property taxes in both states vary by locality, but Ohio tends to have slightly higher property tax rates than Pennsylvania. While Pennsylvania has a somewhat lower state income tax, the overall tax burden can vary significantly depending on specific local taxes and individual circumstances, highlighting the tax system’s complexity.

What is the best city in Ohio to live in?

One of the top cities in Ohio to live in is Columbus. It is often praised for its affordable cost of living, vibrant cultural scene, and robust job market. Columbus is home to Ohio State University, which contributes to a lively atmosphere with plenty of amenities, parks, and recreational activities.

The city also boasts a diverse economy with strengths in education, technology, and healthcare, making it desirable for young professionals and families. According to U.S. News & World Report, Columbus ranks well in terms of quality of life and overall value.

What is the best city in Pennsylvania to live in?

Pittsburgh is frequently cited as one of the best cities to live in Pennsylvania. Known for its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and strong economy, Pittsburgh offers a high quality of life at a relatively low cost. The city has a strong job market with thriving industries like healthcare, education, and tech, driven by institutions like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

Pittsburgh has also been recognized for its livability, with numerous parks, cultural attractions, and a strong sense of community. It has also ranked well in national surveys for its affordability and family-friendliness.

Is it best to retire to Pennsylvania or Ohio?

Choosing between Pennsylvania and Ohio for retirement largely depends on individual preferences, but both states offer appealing options with unique advantages. Ohio often ranks favorably due to its lower cost of living than the national average, which can benefit retirees on a fixed income. Housing, healthcare, and general living expenses are more affordable in Ohio. Additionally, Ohio’s lack of state tax on Social Security benefits can make it financially attractive for retirees.

On the other hand, Pennsylvania offers its own set of financial benefits for retirees. The state does not tax retirement income, including pensions, Social Security, IRAs, and 401(k) withdrawals, which can ease the economic strain on retirees.

While the cost of living in Pennsylvania is slightly above the national average, the state’s diverse landscapes, rich cultural history, and access to high-quality healthcare make it an attractive destination for many. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preferences regarding climate, lifestyle, and financial considerations.

What are the pros and cons of Pennsylvania?

Pros of Living in Pennsylvania

• Rich Cultural History: Home to significant historical sites and vibrant cultural institutions.
• No Tax on Retirement Income: Social Security, pensions, and retirement account withdrawals are not taxed, reducing financial strain on retirees.
• High-Quality Healthcare: Access to top-rated hospitals and healthcare services.
• Diverse Landscapes: Offers a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas with varied natural beauty.

Cons of Living in Pennsylvania

• Higher Cost of Living: Generally higher than the national average, especially in cities like Philadelphia.
• Weather: Cold winters and humid summers can be challenging for some residents.
• Traffic and Infrastructure Issues: Some areas, particularly around major cities, face traffic congestion and aging infrastructure.

What are the pros and cons of Ohio?

Pros of Living in Ohio

• Lower Cost of Living: Generally below the national average, making it affordable for residents and retirees.
• No State Income Taxes on Social Security: Helps retirees manage their finances more easily.
• Strong Job Market: Diverse economy with opportunities in healthcare, education, and technology sectors.
• High-Quality Education: Home to reputable universities and schools, contributing to a well-educated workforce.

Cons of Living in Ohio

• Harsh Winters: Cold and snowy winters can be challenging for some residents.
• Economic Disparities: Some areas experience significant financial challenges and higher unemployment rates.
• Less Natural Diversity: Although Ohio has parks and natural areas that offer many recreational opportunities, the landscape is less varied than in other states.

Which state has better transportation, Pennsylvania or Ohio?

When comparing transportation between Ohio and Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania generally offers more extensive public transportation networks, especially in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which have comprehensive bus, subway, and light rail systems. Pittsburgh’s light rail, for instance, is free in the downtown and North Shore areas.

However, these cities often experience higher traffic congestion and longer commute times. On the other hand, Ohio’s major cities, including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, provide adequate public transportation options with generally less traffic congestion and shorter commute times, contributing to a more efficient travel experience within the state.​

What’s the median household income for Pennsylvania vs. Ohio?

As of 2024, the median household income in Pennsylvania is approximately $68,957, while in Ohio, the median household income is slightly lower at around $62,262 (annual income). These figures highlight that Pennsylvania has a higher median household income compared to Ohio, reflecting the differences in economic conditions and cost of living between the two states.​

Choosing between Ohio and Pennsylvania

No matter where you decide to move to, whether in Ohio or Pennsylvania, you’ll find something exciting and unique. Both states have outstanding cultural activities, natural beauty, strong job markets, and affordable housing. Given their size, it’s essential to research and find the place inside that state that speaks to you most. From there, you can decide if Ohio or Pennsylvania is the right place for you!