Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Pennsylvania and Utah. Updated for 2026.
Utah wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, Pennsylvania has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
Buying in Pennsylvania saves you approximately $1,111/month ($13,332/year) compared to Utah, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Pennsylvania offers meaningfully lower home prices than Utah, with median prices running 42% less ($200K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Utah may find Pennsylvania far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Utah has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.58% versus Pennsylvania's 1.36%. While the rate gap of 0.78% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $1,024 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $8K in savings.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone Advantage provides Up to $6,000 DPA, while Utah's UHC FirstHome Loan offers Up to 6% DPA second. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: Pennsylvania homes cost $200K less than Utah on average. That translates to roughly $1,111 less per month in total housing costs if you choose Pennsylvania. For most buyers, this price gap is the single biggest factor — it affects your loan size, monthly payment, and how quickly you build equity.