California vs Pennsylvania
California comes out ahead of Pennsylvania on 433 of 799 statistics where one end is better, to 353 with 13 ties. California leads on Health, Agriculture and Crime & Safety and 3 more categories. Pennsylvania leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Travel and Facts & Trivia and 7 more categories.
799 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 13 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 433
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 6
- Wins
- 353
- Avg. percentile
- 51
- Categories led
- 10
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | California | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,345,844 1st of 51 | 13,073,016 5th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $99,122 6th of 51 | $77,971 24th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 5.5% 50th of 51 | 4.3% tied 33rd of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 12.0% 29th of 51 | 11.7% 25th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 110.7 51st of 51 | 97.6 28th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $63,028 13th of 51 | $58,620 24th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $80,690 5th of 51 | $65,730 25th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $2,036 51st of 51 | $1,209 24th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 432.7 44th of 51 | 226.8 14th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,814 9th of 48 | 5,700 28th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthCalifornia · 184 statistics
- AgricultureCalifornia · 17 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyPennsylvania · 36 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 75 statistics
- TravelPennsylvania · 29 statistics
- Facts & TriviaPennsylvania · 18 statistics
- GeographyCalifornia · 25 statistics
- EnvironmentPennsylvania · 40 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 293 statistics
- PopulationPennsylvania · 119 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentCalifornia · 124 statistics
- EducationPennsylvania · 51 statistics
- SportsPennsylvania · 16 statistics
- LawPennsylvania · 71 statistics
- Tech & BusinessPennsylvania · 48 statistics
- CulturePennsylvania · 78 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | California | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Substance Abuse - HourlySocial Worker Salary by State | $39.10 49th of 50 | $14.85 1st of 50 |
| Mental Health Substance Abuse - YearlySocial Worker Salary by State | $81,330 49th of 50 | $30,880 1st of 50 |
| Bad Driving IndexWorst Drivers by State | 90.58 47th of 49 | 13.04 1st of 49 |
| Max RateTax Rates by State | 13.3% 44th of 44 | 3.07% 3rd of 44 |
| Capital Gains RateCapital Gains Tax by State | 13.3% 43rd of 43 | 3.07% 3rd of 43 |
| Income Tax Maximum RateTaxes by State | 12.3% 43rd of 43 | 3.07% 3rd of 43 |
| % of Pop. with High School Diploma or EquivalentMost Educated U.S. States | 20.5% 49th of 51 | 32.4% 4th of 51 |
| Affordability RankBest States to Retire | 46th 46th of 50 | 2nd 2nd of 50 |
| Avg. Internet SpeedAverage Internet Speed by State | 93 51st of 51 | 430.8 7th of 51 |
| Fiscal Freedom RankMost Libertarian States | 48th 48th of 50 | 5th 5th of 50 |
| State Integrity Investigation (SII) Total ScoreMost Corrupt States | 73 2nd of 50 | 58 45th of 50 |
| Avg Annual WageClinical Psychologist Salary by State | $124,450 5th of 49 | $73,700 47th of 49 |
| Avg Hourly WageClinical Psychologist Salary by State | 59.83 5th of 49 | 35.43 47th of 49 |
| Median Price: TownhousesMedian Home Price by State | $835,200 43rd of 44 | $293,300 6th of 44 |
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023Prison Population by State | -1,646.0% 1st of 50 | 950.0% 43rd of 50 |
| Single Family (Max Appraisal Fees in State)Appraisal Fees by State | $1,000 tied 42nd of 51 | $650 tied 1st of 51 |
| Crime Cost per CapitaMost Dangerous Cities by State | $324 3rd of 45 | $2,240 40th of 45 |
| Annual Mean WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $144,520 2nd of 51 | $110,140 44th of 51 |
| Hourly Mean WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $69.48 2nd of 51 | $52.95 44th of 51 |
| Annual Median WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $142,520 1st of 51 | $109,100 tied 42nd of 51 |
| Hourly Median WagePhysician Assistant Salary by State | $68.52 1st of 51 | $52.45 tied 42nd of 51 |
| Best States for Living with a Disability - Total ScoreDisability Benefits by State | 43.1 47th of 51 | 56.36 6th of 51 |
| Theft RateStolen Cars by State | 511 per 100k 49th of 51 | 139 per 100k 8th of 51 |
| Medical Cannabis CostMarijuana Cost by State | $257 4th of 50 | $358 44th of 50 |
| Estimated Civil War DeathsCivil War Casualties by State | 500 tied 1st of 33 | 27,000 tied 27th of 33 |
| Combined 7 SeriesVaccination Rates by State | 66.4% 46th of 51 | 77.1% 6th of 51 |
| Avg Annual SalaryDental Hygienists Salary by State | $108,200 2nd of 51 | $71,710 42nd of 51 |
| Avg Hourly WageDental Hygienists Salary by State | $52.02 2nd of 51 | $34.48 42nd of 51 |
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2021-2022Prison Population by State | -3,833.0% 1st of 50 | 716.0% 40th of 50 |
| Overall ScoreBest States to Retire | 21.61 48th of 50 | 28.1 9th of 50 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, California or Pennsylvania?
- California comes out ahead of Pennsylvania on 433 of 799 statistics where one end is better, to 353 with 13 ties. California leads on Health, Agriculture and Crime & Safety and 3 more categories. Pennsylvania leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Travel and Facts & Trivia and 7 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, California or Pennsylvania?
- California has a population of 39,345,844 (1st of 51 US states) and Pennsylvania has 13,073,016 (5th of 51).
- How do California and Pennsylvania compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: California $99,122 (6th of 51), Pennsylvania $77,971 (24th of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- How do California and Pennsylvania compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): California 5.5% (50th of 51), Pennsylvania 4.3% (tied 33rd of 51) among US states. Pennsylvania ranks better.
- Where does California beat Pennsylvania most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on State Integrity Investigation (SII) Total Score (Most Corrupt States): 73 vs 58; Avg Annual Wage (Clinical Psychologist Salary by State): $124,450 vs $73,700; Avg Hourly Wage (Clinical Psychologist Salary by State): 59.83 vs 35.43.
- Where does Pennsylvania beat California most clearly?
- Pennsylvania ranks far ahead on Mental Health Substance Abuse - Hourly (Social Worker Salary by State): $14.85 vs $39.10; Mental Health Substance Abuse - Yearly (Social Worker Salary by State): $30,880 vs $81,330; Bad Driving Index (Worst Drivers by State): 13.04 vs 90.58.
More matchups
Other comparisons with California or Pennsylvania.
- Alabama vs California
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- Arkansas vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs District of Columbia
- Alabama vs Pennsylvania
- Alaska vs Pennsylvania
- Arizona vs Pennsylvania
- Arkansas vs Pennsylvania
- Colorado vs Pennsylvania
- Connecticut vs Pennsylvania
- Delaware vs Pennsylvania
- District of Columbia vs Pennsylvania