Retiring in Pennsylvania: what taxes actually cost you
The short answer
On $80,000 of retirement income, Pennsylvania costs about $7,687 a year across state income, property and sales tax. That ranks 32 of 51, or $1,052 above the median state. State income tax alone is $307, which is 0.4% of gross income.
Run it on your own numbers
The figures above use a reference profile. Change them and every number on this page moves, including the ranking.
How Pennsylvania treats retirement income
Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% income tax, so the rate is the same on the first dollar and the last.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension income
Not taxed
401(k) and IRA withdrawals
Not taxed
Capital gains
Taxed as ordinary income
Property tax
Averages 1.53% of assessed value, so $6,120 a year on a $400K home.
Sales tax
State rate of 6%, before any local addition.
Worth knowing: All retirement income exempt! Low flat rate.
Where Pennsylvania sits against the rest
The spread across all 51 runs from $3,280 in Wyoming to $14,004 in Connecticut, a difference of $10,724 a year on the same income.
Five cheapest on these numbers
| State | Total tax |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $3,280 |
| Nevada | $3,639 |
| Colorado | $4,009 |
| Tennessee | $4,310 |
| Louisiana | $4,678 |
Five most expensive on these numbers
| State | Total tax |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $14,004 |
| New Jersey | $12,953 |
| Vermont | $12,755 |
| Kansas | $11,108 |
| Minnesota | $10,888 |
Worth keeping in proportion. The gap between the best and worst state here is real money, but it is smaller than the gap between two housing markets, and it is far smaller than the effect of your withdrawal rate. Safe withdrawal rate covers that one.
Common questions
Does Pennsylvania tax Social Security?
No. Pennsylvania does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level. Federal tax on benefits still applies depending on your combined income.
How much tax would a retiree pay in Pennsylvania?
On $80,000 of retirement income with a $400,000 home and $70,000 of annual spending, Pennsylvania works out at roughly $7,687 a year across income, property and sales tax. That ranks 32 of 51, against a median of $6,635.
Does Pennsylvania tax 401(k) and IRA withdrawals?
No. Withdrawals from 401(k)s and IRAs are not taxed by Pennsylvania.
Is Pennsylvania a good state to retire in for taxes?
Around the middle of the pack. On the reference profile it costs $1,052 more than the median state, and $4,407 more than Wyoming, which is the cheapest. Tax is one input though. Cost of living, housing and proximity to family usually move a retirement budget further than the tax code does.
Retirement taxes in another state
Related: Taxes in retirement, Withdrawal order, Roth conversions, All 51 states.