Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in Pennsylvania
- Chester County (125% of U.S. avg)
- Montgomery County (122% of U.S. avg)
- Bucks County (120% of U.S. avg)
- Forest County (54% of U.S. avg)
- Union County (84% of U.S. avg)
- Huntingdon County (86% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Pennsylvania | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Pennsylvania is about 2% lower than in US. Income has been growing slower in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr) than in US (5.1%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Pennsylvania earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the US average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Pennsylvania grew by 53.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $76,231 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Pennsylvania | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Pennsylvania | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.2% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Pennsylvania, it is 0.550, lower than US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 25% more than women's income in Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $493,710 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 25% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,255 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Pennsylvania | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 349,768 people are unemployed in Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Pennsylvania is 22 minutes, about the same as in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania has fallen from 7.9% to 5.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $76,231, about 2% lower than the US average of $78,145.
What is the current median household income in Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Pennsylvania is $76,231.
What was the median household income in Pennsylvania in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Pennsylvania was $76,231.
What was the median household income in Pennsylvania in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Pennsylvania was $63,961.
What is the Gini coefficient in Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Pennsylvania is 0.550. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 25% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,255 since 2009.