Is Pennsylvania or Virginia a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Virginia ranks higher overall. Pennsylvania is #25 and Virginia is #9 out of 50 states. Pennsylvania wins 3 of 11 categories, while Virginia wins 8.

How does Pennsylvania compare to Virginia in cost of living?

Pennsylvania has a cost of living index of 98, while Virginia's is 101 (100 = national average). Pennsylvania is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Pennsylvania or Virginia?

Pennsylvania has 313 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 201 in Virginia. Virginia has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Pennsylvania vs Virginia?

Pennsylvania's median household income is $73,823, compared to $87,106 in Virginia.

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

Pennsylvania

#25·Northeast

58.2Composite Score

VSVirginia leads

Virginia

#9·South

74.3Composite Score

3PA wins

8VA wins

Category Overlay

PennsylvaniaVirginia

Category Scores

💰 EconomyVA +30.4

41.8

72.2

🛡️ SafetyVA +15.0

64.9

79.9

🏥 HealthVA +28.6

49.0

77.6

🎓 EducationVA +2.0

79.6

81.6

💼 Fiscal HealthVA +17.2

45.6

62.8

📈 GrowthVA +19.9

30.5

50.4

🏠 AffordabilityPA +11.2

68.6

57.4

🌿 EnvironmentVA +10.0

38.0

48.0

🏞️ Outdoor AccessVA +0.3

19.8

20.1

🚇 TransportationPA +3.1

47.2

44.1

🎭 LivabilityPA +10.1

41.5

31.4

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Pennsylvania	Virginia	Winner
Population	12,961,683	8,642,274	PA
Median Income	$73,823	$87,106	VA
Unemployment	4.1%	2.9%	VA
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	313	201	VA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	98	101	PA
HS Graduation Rate	88%	89%	VA
Life Expectancy	77.6 yr	78.4 yr	VA
Pop Growth	+0.3%	+0.8%	VA

Pennsylvania vs Virginia: How Do They Compare?

Pennsylvania ranks #25 overall with a composite score of 58.2, earning a B grade. Virginia sits at #9 with 74.3 and a A grade. Virginia has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Pennsylvania has 4.1% unemployment and a $73,823 median income, while Virginia reports 2.9% unemployment and $87,106 median income.

For safety, Pennsylvania's violent crime rate is 313 per 100K compared to 201 in Virginia. Cost of living favors Pennsylvania with an index of 98 vs 101.

Explore These States

Pennsylvania Full Profile58.2 Virginia Full Profile74.3 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