Compare states / Washington / to Pennsylvania
WA → PA
Moving from Washington to Pennsylvania
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Washington vs Pennsylvania using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Washington | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 0.0% | 3.07% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 9.51% | 6.34% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.93% | 1.49% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Median home value | $609,756 | $288,697 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.50% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 124 | 124 |
| National parks | 3 | 0 |
| Population density | 121.0/sq mi | 292.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 326.1 | 245.6 |
| Demographics | 64.2% White (non-Hispanic) 13.7% Hispanic 4.3% Black 9.6% 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 Washington to Pennsylvania?
Washington: No wage income tax; 7% capital gains over threshold. Pennsylvania: Flat 3.07% (local earned-income tax extra). At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $0 in Washington vs $3,684 in Pennsylvania. If you earned in both states this year, see WA tax agency and PA tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Washington to Pennsylvania?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 0.0% 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 Pennsylvania residents 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, state charges in the sketch 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 Washington 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. Washington plates are not a substitute for Pennsylvania registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Pennsylvania residents from Washington
- Get a PA driver license within 60 days. Bring your WA 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. WA tax agency · PA tax agency.
- Both Washington and Pennsylvania are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Washington to Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania taxes wages (top listed 3.07%). Washington does not tax wages.
- New Pennsylvania residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Washington window in this file).
- Title the car in Pennsylvania within 20 days. Washington plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Effective real-estate property tax: 0.93% in Washington vs 1.49% in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,787.00 (county extras omitted).
Common questions
How does sales tax in Pennsylvania compare to Washington?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 9.51% in Washington vs 6.34% in Pennsylvania. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Washington to Pennsylvania?
Washington does not tax wages; Pennsylvania taxes wages (top listed 3.07%). Moving this direction usually means a new or higher state income-tax bill. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $0 in Washington 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.
How many state and national parks are in Washington vs Pennsylvania?
Washington has 124 state parks and 3 national parks in this file. Pennsylvania has 124 state parks and 0 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in Pennsylvania compare to Washington?
Population density is 121.0 people per square mile in Washington vs 292.0 in Pennsylvania.
How do Washington and Pennsylvania compare on demographics?
Washington: 64.2% White (non-Hispanic), 13.7% Hispanic, 4.3% Black, 9.6% Asian. Pennsylvania: 74.1% White (non-Hispanic), 8.4% Hispanic, 13.1% Black, 3.9% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Pennsylvania and the reverse route, Pennsylvania → Washington.
Pennsylvania → Florida · California → Washington · New York → Pennsylvania · Washington → Idaho
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