City comparison
Lancaster, PA vs Pensacola, FL
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Overall prices in Lancaster, PA (98.3) and Pensacola, FL (97.7, U.S. average = 100) are within 1% of each other, so $100,000 in Lancaster, PA goes as far as $99,500 in Pensacola, FL.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $1,220 a month in Lancaster, PA and $1,257 in Pensacola, FL.
- On $100,000, estimated state income tax is about $3,070 a year higher in Lancaster, PA than in Pensacola, FL.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −2.0% moving from Lancaster, PA to Pensacola, FL ($108,592 → $106,437), while prices change by −0.5%. Net effect of the transfer: −1.4% in real buying power.
- Lancaster, PA: price level 98.3 (about average)
- Pensacola, FL: price level 97.7 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Lancaster, PA | Pensacola, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 98.3 | 97.7 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $99,450 in Pensacola | $100,553 in Lancaster |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,220/mo | $1,257/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $76,110 | $79,180 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,070 (PA) | $0 (FL) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 19% | 19% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $48,210 | $46,240 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Lancaster, PA MSA and Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL MSA. Metro areas: Lancaster, PA and Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Lancaster | Pensacola |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 93.8 | 98.8 |
| Goods | 100.7 | 96.2 |
| Utilities | 107.3 | 88.5 |
| Other services | 97.7 | 98.9 |
| Overall | 98.3 | 97.7 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Lancaster, PA → Pensacola, FL
Roughly even
Buying power +0.6%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax −$3,070/yr.
70 Strong offer
Pensacola, FL → Lancaster, PA
Roughly even
Buying power −0.5%; rent takes 19% of take-home; state tax +$3,070/yr.
67 Fair offer
On the GS pay scale?
Lancaster, PA is in the Harrisburg-Lebanon, PA pay area; Pensacola, FL is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Lancaster, PA to Pensacola, FL at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Lancaster, PA | Pensacola, FL | Real change, Lancaster → Pensacola |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $62,972 | $61,722 | −1.4% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $76,190 | $74,678 | −1.4% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $91,320 | $89,508 | −1.4% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $108,592 | $106,437 | −1.4% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $128,323 | $125,776 | −1.4% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Lancaster, PA | Pensacola, FL | Pensacola pay in Lancaster dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,360 | $50,360 | $50,638 (−35.4%) |
| Software Developers | $104,740 | $108,430 | $109,029 (+4.1%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,110 | $76,410 | $76,832 (+0.9%) |
| Registered Nurses | $89,620 | $77,890 | $78,320 (−12.6%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.