Home project costs in Pennsylvania
Statewide ranges for 38 projects, using Pennsylvania wages (BLS) and regional prices (BEA). Pick a city below for local prices.
On BEA's regional price index, Pennsylvania is number 24 of 51 (50 states and DC) at 97.6, with 100 as the US average. Goods prices come in at 99.4, rank 13. The state has 6,064,600 jobs in the BLS survey.
Statewide, 19 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 6 below, and 13 are level with it. The biggest premiums are kitchen backsplash (+9%), tile flooring (+9%) and shower pan (+9%); the biggest discounts are storm door (−1%), front door (−1%) and wood deck (−1%).
Weather across the 12 metros we cover: January average lows of 19 to 27°F, July average highs of 81 to 88°F and 39 to 47 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
Cities in Pennsylvania
How the metros in Pennsylvania compare
Inside Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is the priciest of the 12 metros we cover at +4% against the US midpoint (averaged over all 38 projects), and Chambersburg the cheapest at −1%. That is a gap of 5.0 percentage points between the two. Part of that gap is wages and part is materials, so check the individual city pages for the job you have in mind.
| Metro | Jobs | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 | 102.6 | 96.8 | +4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 | 94.7 | 100.7 | +3% |
| York, PA | 183,590 | 96.0 | 100.7 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 | 98.7 | 100.7 | +2% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 | 96.8 | 100.7 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 | 100.0 | 100.6 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 | 93.6 | 100.7 | +1% |
| Reading, PA | 174,670 | 97.1 | 100.7 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 | 98.3 | 100.7 | level |
| Erie, PA | 120,480 | 91.0 | 100.7 | level |
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 | 89.5 | 100.7 | −1% |
| Chambersburg, PA | 60,280 | 94.6 | 100.7 | −1% |
What trades earn in Pennsylvania
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $21.69 | $23.75 | $29.72 | $22.66 | 1.05 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.01 | $28.54 | $35.92 | $29.12 | 0.98 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $24.42 | $29.10 | $37.40 | $28.78 | 1.01 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $27.83 | $32.73 | $44.15 | $30.67 | 1.07 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $24.06 | $29.62 | $33.20 | $27.41 | 1.08 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $26.51 | $32.50 | $45.92 | $30.38 | 1.07 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $24.16 | $33.77 | $37.82 | $26.77 | 1.26 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.75 | $26.79 | $29.98 | $26.65 | 1.01 |
Concrete & paving in Pennsylvania
The 7 jobs here average +2% versus the US in Pennsylvania, from +1% (gravel driveway) to +3% (concrete driveway).
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Pennsylvania | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,300 | $3,850 |
| Concrete driveway cost in Pennsylvania | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,550 | $6,450 |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Pennsylvania | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 |
| Gravel driveway cost in Pennsylvania | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,300 | $6,350 |
| Paver patio cost in Pennsylvania | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | $4,250 |
| Concrete patio cost in Pennsylvania | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,650 |
| Stamped concrete cost in Pennsylvania | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,600 |
Decks & outdoor in Pennsylvania
The 2 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Pennsylvania, from −1% (wood deck) to −1% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Pennsylvania | 300 sq ft | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,400 |
| Composite deck cost in Pennsylvania | 300 sq ft | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,100 |
Building & additions in Pennsylvania
Across these 2 projects, Pennsylvania averages +1% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +1% and detached garage lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Pennsylvania | 576 sq ft | $29,100 – $58,500 | $43,500 |
| Home addition cost in Pennsylvania | 300 sq ft | $38,300 – $77,600 | $57,500 |
Doors & windows in Pennsylvania
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Pennsylvania, from −1% (storm door) to level (window replacement).
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Pennsylvania | 1 door | $700 – $3,700 | $2,200 |
| Storm door cost in Pennsylvania | 1 door | $350 – $940 | $650 |
| Front door cost in Pennsylvania | 1 door | $490 – $2,500 | $1,500 |
| Window replacement cost in Pennsylvania | 10 windows | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,750 |
| Patio door cost in Pennsylvania | 1 door | $600 – $5,950 | $3,300 |
Fencing in Pennsylvania
The 4 jobs here average level versus the US in Pennsylvania, from level (vinyl fence) to +1% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Pennsylvania | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 |
| Vinyl fence cost in Pennsylvania | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 |
| Chain-link fence cost in Pennsylvania | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,850 |
| Aluminum fence cost in Pennsylvania | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 |
Roofing & exterior in Pennsylvania
The 5 jobs here average level versus the US in Pennsylvania, from level (vinyl siding) to +1% (attic insulation).
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Pennsylvania | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,150 – $12,500 | $9,300 |
| Metal roof cost in Pennsylvania | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 |
| Gutters cost in Pennsylvania | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 |
| Vinyl siding cost in Pennsylvania | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,400 – $25,100 | $16,800 |
| Attic insulation cost in Pennsylvania | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,050 | $2,500 |
Kitchen & bath in Pennsylvania
Across these 5 projects, Pennsylvania averages +4% against national midpoints. Kitchen backsplash is highest at +9% and kitchen cabinets lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Pennsylvania | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $13,900 | $9,150 |
| Shower pan cost in Pennsylvania | 1 pan | $1,050 – $3,000 | $1,850 |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Pennsylvania | 120 sq ft | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,000 |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Pennsylvania | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,000 |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Pennsylvania | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,650 | $900 |
Landscaping & drainage in Pennsylvania
Across these 5 projects, Pennsylvania averages +2% against national midpoints. Retaining wall is highest at +3% and French drain lowest at level.
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Pennsylvania | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 |
| Retaining wall cost in Pennsylvania | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,350 – $13,800 | $10,300 |
| Sod installation cost in Pennsylvania | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 |
| Sprinkler system cost in Pennsylvania | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,100 – $10,200 | $7,000 |
| Inground pool cost in Pennsylvania | 450 sq ft | $37,000 – $115,500 | $74,500 |
Flooring & interior in Pennsylvania
The 3 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Pennsylvania, from level (hardwood flooring) to +9% (tile flooring).
| Project | Size | Pennsylvania range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Pennsylvania | 500 sq ft | $5,500 – $12,500 | $9,000 |
| Laminate flooring cost in Pennsylvania | 500 sq ft | $2,050 – $7,100 | $4,500 |
| Tile flooring cost in Pennsylvania | 200 sq ft | $2,850 – $10,600 | $6,200 |