New Hampshire vs Pennsylvania:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between New Hampshire (no income tax) and Pennsylvania (3.07% top rate, flat). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: New Hampshire vs Pennsylvania
New Hampshire has no state income tax, while Pennsylvania uses a flat system with rates of 3.07% flat + local. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $3,070/year that New Hampshire residents simply don’t pay.
Pennsylvania’s flat 3.07% rate means the gap scales linearly with income. At $200K, you’d save $6,140 by being in New Hampshire instead.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
New Hampshire wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | New Hampshire | Pennsylvania | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $34,320 | $33,092 | −$1,228 | New Hampshire |
| $50K | $42,355 | $40,820 | −$1,535 | New Hampshire |
| $60K | $50,390 | $48,548 | −$1,842 | New Hampshire |
| $75K | $61,538 | $59,235 | −$2,303 | New Hampshire |
| $100K | $79,125 | $76,055 | −$3,070 | New Hampshire |
| $120K | $93,195 | $89,511 | −$3,684 | New Hampshire |
| $150K | $113,751 | $109,146 | −$4,605 | New Hampshire |
| $200K | $148,887 | $142,747 | −$6,140 | New Hampshire |
| $250K | $183,264 | $175,589 | −$7,675 | New Hampshire |
| $300K | $215,329 | $206,119 | −$9,210 | New Hampshire |
Cost of Living: New Hampshire (108) vs Pennsylvania (98)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. New Hampshire has a cost of living index of 108 while Pennsylvania is at 98 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $73,264 in New Hampshire vs $77,607 in Pennsylvania. However, Pennsylvania actually provides better purchasing power despite New Hampshire’s take-home advantage.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $84,710 in New Hampshire and $81,640 in Pennsylvania \u2014 a difference of $3,070. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire?
On paper, moving from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire would save $3,070/year on a $100K salary, or $15,350 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
The $3,070/year savings is meaningful but probably not enough to justify a move on its own. However, combined with other factors like career growth, lifestyle preferences, or family proximity, it could tip the scale.