Living in Pennsylvania Vs. Virginia: Which Is The Better State?

Virginia and Pennsylvania’s colonial origins shaped the modern culture of these Mid-Atlantic region states. Historically, the shared heritage leads to many common features: historic battlefields, massive monuments, renowned education institutions, and relevant cities. Visually, each has rolling, lush farmlands, gentle blue mountain peaks, clear mountain streams, and historic Victorian and Gilded Age homes.

However, this historical heritage also shapes them differently. One hosted the first United States capital; another is part of the modern capital’s metro. To fuel its economy, one relied on agricultural products and the other, on industry.

Our side-by-side view reveals the quality of life available to you today. Comparing Pennsylvania vs Virginia living costs, real estate markets, and amenities can help you decide which state may be a better place to call home.

Cost of Living

Virginia may have fewer residents, but its overall cost of living is about 6% more than Pennsylvania. So, if saving on your living expenses is a priority, Pennsylvania may be the way to go.

Housing costs are the primary reason living in Virginia is more expensive. Real estate is about 7% above the national average and 20% more expensive than the Pennsylvania average.

But what if you take away housing? Virginia and Pennsylvania’s other spending categories trade places. Virginia may be cheaper for health care, but transportation a lower cost in Pennsylvania.

Take a look:

Now that you know that housing will be the outlier, keep in mind that these cost of living figures average across the state. Both states cover over 40,000 sq miles, which is a lot of ground to cover. Some cities and regions will be more expensive than others.

Virginia is a prime example. Housing is more expensive because the northern region is part of the high-demand DC Metro. But you could find a more affordable place to live in the Shenandoah Valley or Richmond.

Population Growth

The number of persons living in an area means different things to different people. Some prefer to avoid major cities because they want a slower pace of life or to have a few acres of land. Others prefer to live in the city because they prioritize easy access to entertainment amenities and work.

A growing population signals that a place has desirable perks and advantages. It may be a thriving job market, affordable housing, or a combination of factors. On the other hand, leaving an area is usually a sign of economic depression or another significant challenge to having a safe, healthy lifestyle.

Pennsylvania has about four million more people than Virginia, but it is also a larger state by about 4,000 sq mi. However, Virginia ranks as the 8th fastest-growing state in 2022 based on numeric growth.

On the other hand, Pennsylvania lost around 0.2% of its population in the 2020 Census. Not a hugely significant number, but still on the opposite side of the spectrum from growing Virginia.

Loudoun County led the way in population growth for Virginia. It’s growing quickly because people are looking for more affordable housing in Northern Virginia. This county is just outside the DC Metro along the Potomac River.

Real Estate Taxes

Even though Virginia’s housing costs are higher than Pennsylvania, it comes out ahead when ranked for property taxes. WalletHub ranked it 24th for its property tax burden, while Pennsylvania had the ninth-highest property taxes.

Virginia homeowners had an average tax rate of 0.87% and paid an average of $2,664.94 in property taxes. Pennsylvania homeowners paid almost $7,087.11 for a tax burden of 1.49%.

Taxes for Retirees

Are you looking for a place to spend your golden years? As someone on a fixed income, saving money anywhere will become even more important. Look at Virginia vs Pennsylvania for their overall tax structures.

Pennsylvania exempts most retirement income from taxation once you reach retirement age, with a few exceptions. The main thing is your Social Security, military, and government benefits from retirement plans won’t be taxed. While there is an inheritance tax, most of your closest family members are exempt. It mostly has to do with siblings and non-familial heirs.

Virginia’s tax environment is less generous. Income taxes fall anywhere from 2-5.75%, with some partial tax breaks for pension and retirement account withdrawals. Your Social Security will not be taxed.

As far as sales taxes, Pennsylvania levies 6%, but Virginia wins out with a statewide 4.3%.

Job Opportunities

Between the two states, Pennsylvania is a real powerhouse regarding economic development and its job market. Its gross domestic product (GDP) ranked sixth in the nation and was nearly comparable to Saudi Arabia’s. When finding work, such a strong economy signals the presence of Fortune 500 companies (24 in 2021) and other well-known brands.

Food processing is its leading industry. Other robust sectors include advanced manufacturing, life sciences, health care, education, robotics, and energy. Philadelphia is a vital financial hub, while Pittsburgh is reinventing itself as a startup haven. Its March 2023 unemployment rate was 4.2%.

But is Virginia a good state to live in for job opportunities? Its GDP rank isn’t too shabby, coming in at no. 13. It had even more Fortune 500 companies– 34 as of 2022. Its unemployment rate was 3.4%, which likely was helped by the high percentage of government-related work. Virginia has a strong military presence. Multiple bases and defense centers help stabilize an economy.

Outside of government work, Virginia’s leading sectors include transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and professional services.

Education Quality

The two states’ education systems have some interesting juxtapositions.

Using the U.S. News and World Report ranking list, Virginia ranks as the nation’s 9th best for public K-12 education, compared to Pennsylvania’s no. 22. Still, we could say provide a solid public education for children.

Turning to higher education, Virginia ranks overall at number 20. The University of Virginia (UVa) and the College of William and Mary are historic institutions with a century-long reputation for excellence in many fields. UVa was no. 24 in the nation with renowned engineering, law, medicine, and education programs.

Pennsylvania’s higher education ranked last. That’s interesting because some of the nation’s top-ranked universities are in Pennsylvania. One example is the no. 7 ranked University of Pennsylvania, which also has the nation’s number one business school, the Wharton School of Business. At no. 22, Carnegie Mellon University was also rated above UVa, and the University of Pittsburgh had a nationally ranked School of Education. The low marks for PA higher education may be more a result of its high cost than its overall quality.

So, is Pennsylvania a good state to live in for education? Just like any state, it can be, depending on where you live.

City Living

If you envision a lifestyle where you can jump in the car and get to the grocery store within a few minutes, then you’ll prefer living in a city. Urban communities place you close to museums, parks, and event venues.

Both states deliver when it comes to city living, but each city has a distinct character.

Starting in Pennsylvania, world-famous Philadelphia was the nation’s first capital. Nicknamed “The City of Brotherly Love” or “The City of Neighborhoods,” Philly has long been an important East Coast hub for shipbuilding, manufacturing, and education. The city oozes character, with century-old homes and buildings, a great public transportation network, and a youthful vibe thanks to all its colleges.

Pittsburgh is Pennsylvania’s second-largest city. At the confluence of three rivers, it is nicknamed the “City of Bridges.” The former steel hub is now attracting more startup and tech companies taking advantage of the low cost of living and the aura of “coolness” thanks to its museums, parks, and breweries.

As a region, Northern Virginia dominates. The individual cities may not have a huge population, but as a metro area, the most populated part of Virginia with 3.16 million residents. The amenities will vary, from historic Alexandria and Arlington across from the District of Columbia to the upscale Falls Church or laidback Manassas.

By city-limit population, Virginia Beach wins. The seaside city boasts a three-mile-long boardwalk along the Atlantic Coastline. As a tourist destination, you have no shortage of entertainment and sporting events, retail, dining, and outdoor recreation.

Chesapeake may feel like part of Virginia Beach, but it’s an independent city. It’s also one of the largest cities by land mass, with a large part being the local Navy base. You’ll get waterfront but with slightly less tourist travel.

Richmond is the state capital. Built on the James River, it likes to call itself Virginia’s arts and culture capital, with its highly ranked Museum of Fine Arts, two universities, and many historical attractions. Residents are two hours from the beach and the mountains. Richmond also has home to a thriving financial sector.

About the Weather

How do you like it: hot, cold, rainy, snowy? Everything in between? Hopefully, you do because that’s what you’ll get living in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Both have four-season climates.

Where you are in the state will impact how warm, cold, wet, and dry you are. Life in the beautiful mountains brings colder temperatures and more snow. Farther eastward are more muggy summers and rain.

Pennsylvania, being more north, experiences more average snowfall and colder overall temperatures. Towns along Lake Erie can get pounded with lake-effect snows, but make it great if you love skiing or winter sports.

With Virginia’s coastline, tropical storms could be a weather threat if you live on or near the beach or the Chesapeake Bay. While it’s rare to have a category 4 or 5 make landfall here, even weaker storms can cause significant flooding, coastal erosion, and wind damage. Is Virginia a good state to live in for winter sports? It does see some snow and ice, especially towards the west in its Appalachian regions. In terms of access to ski resorts, Pennsylvania does have more facilities.

Outdoor Recreation

Want to get outside? Which is better depends on what you like to do. Both have ample access to recreational activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and fishing.

Do you dream of sand between your toes and the sound of surf lulling you into relaxation? Virginia’s your choice, as Pennsylvania has no oceanfront–just some shoreline along Lake Erie and the Delaware Estuary. Virginia’s over 7,000 miles of coastline (including the tidal waters of Chesapeake Bay) promises outdoor access for surfing, fishing, sand volleyball, and more against the backdrop of the rolling Atlantic waters.

But if you don’t care about the ocean–just like being near water–Pennsylvania and Virginia have a bounty of streams, rivers, and lakes ideal for fishing, canoeing, and other water sports. In fact, Pennsylvania is a good state to live in for water activities. It has around 85,000 miles of rivers and streams to choose from, like its blueway trails on the Allegheny and the Genesee Rivers. Of course, Pennsylvania has 77 miles of access to Lake Erie, one of America’s Great Lakes.

Virginia has lakes, too, like the Kerr Reservoir and its 800 miles of shoreline. Its famous rivers include the New, Potomac, and Appomattox. The water courses have whitewater rafting and calm streams for a summertime tube float.

Perhaps you enjoy the solitude of the mountains. The Appalachian Mountains run through both states. In Virginia, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and admire the scenic views from the ridgeline. The Shenandoah Valley has been memorialized in song and has an iconic National Park.

Pennsylvania has even more than the spine of the Appalachians, with sub-ranges of the Allegheny and Poconos Mountains. Around 59% of the state is forested land. The state manages two million acres of land reserved for hunting, hiking, biking, equine sports, and more. And we haven’t even touched on the farmlands or its Dutch Country!

Cultural Attractions

Unique festivals and traditions are key to a state’s culture, making each one distinct.

Pennsylvania has a few characteristics it is known for. One is its high population of Amish and Mennonite people. This religious sect’s way of life is rooted in 18th-century practices, and visitors come from all over to buy their handmade goods and products sold at the country stores.

As one of America’s earliest colonies, Pennsylvania has a treasure trove of historic attractions important at the national level. It started as a Quaker colony, and their influence is still present with Society of Friends schools and old monuments. Then you have battle sites like Valley Forge, the nation’s first capital and Independence Hall, the Declaration of Independence, and many more battlefields and buildings important to our history.

The arts thrive in Pennsylvania, both in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where you can visit the Andy Warhol Museum or Carnegie Museums of Art and History. Between these cities lies PA wine country in Brandywine Valley and popular events like the Shakespeare Festival in Lehigh Valley. And Philly visitors must take advantage of their chance to run like Rocky up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.

Virginia’s cultural attractions are equally rooted in American history. Visit Colonial Williamsburg and its living history monument for a true step back in time. The estates of our earliest American Presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, are in this state. Many Civil War battlefields mark the landscape, and the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery are in northern Virginia. Plus Virginia is next to Washington DC.

Some Virginia food traditions stick out. Chesapeake Bay crabs are renowned for their sweet flavor, and Old Bay seasoning is famously associated with the region. Over in the central regions, apples and peanuts are prized.

The rolling Shenandoah Valley and Appalachian Mountains also have folk culture traditions, blending Scottish and Irish with other native cultures. You’ll hear it in the twangy bluegrass fiddles and see it in the folk art style displayed in quilts and sculptures.

Classic arts are present in VA, too. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has an extensive collection of works from around the world, including Faberge eggs. Meanwhile, world-class artists descend on the Hampton Roads region each year for the Virginia Arts Festival.

Choosing Between Living in Virginia and Pennsylvania

So is Pennsylvania a good state to live in? Absolutely! And is Virginia a good state to live in? Of course! Now that you’ve learned a little about Virginia vs Pennsylvania, one state may sound more appealing to you. No matter where you settle, you’ll live a well-rounded life.

Their fascinating cities are packed with interesting historical attractions. While their living costs are similar, their cultures, climates, and attractions vary widely, given that they are two large states. As you learn about Virginia and Pennsylvania, find the perfect region with the amenities most appealing to your lifestyle by working with a local real estate agent.

Updated June 2024