Is California or Pennsylvania a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Pennsylvania ranks higher overall. California is #40 and Pennsylvania is #25 out of 50 states. California wins 3 of 11 categories, while Pennsylvania wins 8.

How does California compare to Pennsylvania in cost of living?

California has a cost of living index of 113, while Pennsylvania's is 98 (100 = national average). Pennsylvania is more affordable.

Which state is safer, California or Pennsylvania?

California has 440 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 313 in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in California vs Pennsylvania?

California's median household income is $91,905, compared to $73,823 in Pennsylvania.

California vs Pennsylvania: Side-by-Side (2026)

California

#40·West

42.9Composite Score

VSPennsylvania leads

Pennsylvania

#25·Northeast

58.2Composite Score

3CA wins

8PA wins

Category Overlay

CaliforniaPennsylvania

Category Scores

💰 EconomyPA +0.5

41.3

41.8

🛡️ SafetyPA +16.9

48.0

64.9

🏥 HealthCA +20.4

69.4

49.0

🎓 EducationPA +32.7

46.9

79.6

💼 Fiscal HealthCA +1.9

47.5

45.6

📈 GrowthPA +20.4

10.1

30.5

🏠 AffordabilityPA +61.4

7.2

68.6

🌿 EnvironmentPA +13.3

24.7

38.0

🏞️ Outdoor AccessCA +21.0

40.8

19.8

🚇 TransportationPA +1.5

45.7

47.2

🎭 LivabilityPA +4.0

37.5

41.5

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	California	Pennsylvania	Winner
Population	38,965,193	12,961,683	CA
Median Income	$91,905	$73,823	CA
Unemployment	5.4%	4.1%	PA
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	440	313	PA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	113	98	PA
HS Graduation Rate	85%	88%	PA
Life Expectancy	79.8 yr	77.6 yr	CA
Pop Growth	+0.2%	+0.3%	PA

California vs Pennsylvania: How Do They Compare?

California ranks #40 overall with a composite score of 42.9, earning a C grade. Pennsylvania sits at #25 with 58.2 and a B grade. Pennsylvania has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, California has 5.4% unemployment and a $91,905 median income, while Pennsylvania reports 4.1% unemployment and $73,823 median income.

For safety, California's violent crime rate is 440 per 100K compared to 313 in Pennsylvania. Cost of living favors Pennsylvania with an index of 98 vs 113.

Explore These States

California Full Profile42.9 Pennsylvania Full Profile58.2 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022