Minnesota vs Pennsylvania Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$1,272 /yr more take-home in Pennsylvania
$106/mo · $49 a paycheck.
Minnesota
Pennsylvania
$58,018/yr in Minnesota vs $59,290/yr in Pennsylvania.
Minnesota
Take-home per paycheck
$2,231.46
$58,018/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Pennsylvania
Take-home per paycheck
$2,280.38
$59,290/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Minnesota vs Pennsylvania
Sized off $4,835/mo take-home in Minnesota and $4,941/mo in Pennsylvania. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$60,187 is what Minnesota take-home is worth at Pennsylvania prices
Against $59,290 actually paid in Pennsylvania, leaving Minnesota $897/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$87 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Pennsylvania
$1,128/mo in Minnesota, $1,215/mo in Pennsylvania.
The average two-bedroom takes 23% of take-home in Minnesota and 25% in Pennsylvania — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$60,000 more for the median home in Minnesota
$330,000 in Minnesota, $270,000 in Pennsylvania.
The median home is 1.2× what this salary supports in Minnesota and 1.0× in Pennsylvania. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$52 /mo more left over in Minnesota
Minnesota has $1,318/mo spare; Pennsylvania has $1,267/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $564/mo in Minnesota and $608/mo in Pennsylvania.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.26/gal | $3.64/gal |
| Electricity | $109/mo | $111/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,881/mo | $1,113/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 39% of take-home in Minnesota and 23% in Pennsylvania.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Minnesota: Minnesota uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 5.35% to 9.85%.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax of 3.07%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Minnesota take-home | Pennsylvania take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,480 | $40,820 | -$340 |
| $75,000 | $58,018 | $59,290 | -$1,272 |
| $100,000 | $73,905 | $76,110 | -$2,205 |
| $150,000 | $104,856 | $109,186 | -$4,330 |
| $200,000 | $136,067 | $142,787 | -$6,720 |
| $300,000 | $192,853 | $205,967 | -$13,114 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Minnesota. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Minnesota or Pennsylvania?
At a $100,000 salary, Pennsylvania results in $2,205 more annual take-home pay. Minnesota uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 5.35% to 9.85%. Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax of 3.07%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
How much more do you take home in Pennsylvania vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $340/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $4,330/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $13,114/yr.
Do Minnesota and Pennsylvania have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Minnesota or Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Minnesota and Pennsylvania is about the same. Minnesota's Regional Price Parity is 98.2 and Pennsylvania's is 98 (US average = 100).
Is Pennsylvania cheaper than Minnesota?
Yes. Pennsylvania has a lower cost of living than Minnesota (index 98 vs 98.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Minnesota more expensive than Pennsylvania?
Yes. Minnesota has a higher cost of living (index 98.2) compared to Pennsylvania (index 98). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $73,905 in Minnesota has the purchasing power of $74,056 in Pennsylvania terms. Conversely, $76,110 in Pennsylvania equals $75,955 in Minnesota terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Pennsylvania comes out ahead.
Minnesota vs Pennsylvania cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 0% different between Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Living costs are about 2% below the national average Living costs are about 2% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Pennsylvania gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Minnesota and Pennsylvania?
Minnesota requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Pennsylvania requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Minnesota vs Pennsylvania Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Minnesota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Pennsylvania Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Minnesota?
- How much house can you afford in Pennsylvania?
- Minnesota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Pennsylvania Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Minnesota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pennsylvania Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Minnesota Paycheck Estimator · Pennsylvania Paycheck Estimator · All states