Compare states / New York → Pennsylvania
NY → PA
Compare New York and Pennsylvania
New York’s top income-tax rate of 10.9% is 7.83 points above Pennsylvania’s 3.07%; at $120,000 of single-filer income the bracket estimate is $6,512 a year versus $3,684. The median home in New York is valued at $513,450, about 78% more than Pennsylvania’s $288,697. New York has the higher average combined sales tax (8.54% vs 6.34%), while effective property-tax rates are close at 1.30% and 1.26%. New York levies its own estate tax; Pennsylvania does not.
Moving the other way (Pennsylvania to New York)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Pennsylvania; for New York, see the New York page.
Data: New York (tax.ny.gov, dmv.ny.gov); Pennsylvania (revenue.pa.gov, dmv.pa.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| New York | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 10.9% | 3.07% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.54% | 6.34% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.30% | 1.26% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | Yes — $7.35M exemption | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | Yes — 4.5–15% by class |
| Minimum wage | $16.00 / $17.00 NYC | $7.25 |
| Median home value | $513,450 | $288,697 |
| Tax when you title a car | 8.00% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 180 | 125 |
| National parks | 0 | 0 |
| Population density | 424.0/sq mi | 292.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 380.2 | 245.6 |
| Demographics | 54.1% White (non-Hispanic) 19.5% Hispanic 17.5% Black 9.0% Asian | 74.1% White (non-Hispanic) 8.4% Hispanic 13.1% Black 3.9% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 20 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from New York to Pennsylvania?
New York: 4%–10.9% state; NYC adds local tax. Pennsylvania: Flat 3.07% (local earned-income tax extra). At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $6,512 in New York vs $3,684 in Pennsylvania. If you earned in both states this year, see NY tax agency and PA tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in New York and Pennsylvania
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 10.9% vs 3.07%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Pennsylvania
New residents of Pennsylvania typically have 20 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,787.00 (tax $1,680.00 + title $58.00 + registration $39.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Pennsylvania
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Pennsylvania
After you become a Pennsylvania resident, you typically have 60 days to get a Pennsylvania driver license. Bring your New York license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Pennsylvania. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Pennsylvania DMV. New York plates are not a substitute for Pennsylvania registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: New York to Pennsylvania
- Get a PA driver license within 60 days. Bring your NY license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Pennsylvania (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Pennsylvania DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 20 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. Pennsylvania elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. NY tax agency · PA tax agency.
- Pennsylvania is in the nurse compact; New York is not. You may still need a PA license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from New York to Pennsylvania
- Top listed income-tax rate: 10.9% in New York vs 3.07% in Pennsylvania (lower in Pennsylvania).
- New residents of Pennsylvania typically have 60 days to get a driver license (in New York, the window is 30 days).
- Pennsylvania has no state estate tax. New York does (Yes — $7.35M exemption).
- Pennsylvania taxes some heirs (Yes — 4.5–15% by class). New York has no state inheritance tax.
- Pennsylvania is in the nurse compact; New York is not. You may still need a PA license if you change primary residence.
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from New York to Pennsylvania?
The top listed rate goes down: 10.9% in New York vs 3.07% in Pennsylvania. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $6,512 in New York vs $3,684 in Pennsylvania. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
Does Pennsylvania drop the state estate tax I would have in New York?
New York: Yes — $7.35M exemption. For deaths in 2026, New York’s basic exclusion is $7,350,000. The credit phases out if the estate is more than 105% of the exclusion, so estates just over that line can owe tax on the full taxable estate. Pennsylvania: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does Pennsylvania have an inheritance tax that New York does not?
New York: No. No state inheritance tax. Pennsylvania: Yes — 4.5–15% by class. Pennsylvania inheritance tax rates: 0% to a surviving spouse or to a parent from a child aged 21 or younger; 4.5% to lineal heirs; 12% to siblings; 15% to other heirs. Charities and government entities are exempt. Joint property between spouses is exempt. A 5% discount applies if tax is paid within three months of death. Inheritance tax is paid by the heir; estate tax is paid by the estate.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from New York to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is in the nurse compact; New York is not. You may still need a PA license if you change primary residence.
How does sales tax in Pennsylvania compare to New York?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.54% in New York vs 6.34% in Pennsylvania. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How does the minimum wage in Pennsylvania compare with New York?
New York: $16.00 / $17.00 NYC. $17.00 in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester. $16.00 in the remainder of the state. Pennsylvania: $7.25. Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
How much is vehicle sales tax in Pennsylvania compared with New York?
Pennsylvania title-tax rate used here is 6.00% (8.00% in New York). Title the car in Pennsylvania within 20 days (30 days in New York). On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,787.00 (county extras omitted).
Related moves
Also see Pennsylvania and New York on their own. Moving from Pennsylvania to New York instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
New York → Florida · New York → New Jersey · Pennsylvania → Florida · New York → North Carolina · New York → Texas
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. New York does not tax Social Security benefits (NY tax agency); Pennsylvania does not tax Social Security benefits (PA tax agency).
- Estate tax. New York estate tax; Pennsylvania has no state estate tax (PA tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. New York has no state inheritance tax (NY tax agency); Pennsylvania inheritance tax.
- Minimum wage. New York $16.00 / $17.00 NYC; Pennsylvania $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. New York 8.00%; Pennsylvania 6.00%.
- State parks. New York 180; Pennsylvania 125. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; NY 0, PA 0).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (NY vs PA: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. New York 30 days; Pennsylvania 60 days.
- Days to title a car. New York 30 days; Pennsylvania 20 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled