Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Pennsylvania and Virginia. Updated for 2026.
Pennsylvania and Virginia are evenly matched across major housing cost categories. Your decision may come down to other factors like job market, climate, or lifestyle preferences. Use the calculators below to model your specific scenario.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
Buying in Pennsylvania saves you approximately $708/month ($8,496/year) compared to Virginia, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Pennsylvania offers meaningfully lower home prices than Virginia, with median prices running 30% less ($120K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Virginia may find Pennsylvania far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Virginia has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.82% versus Pennsylvania's 1.36%. While the rate gap of 0.54% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $528 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $4K in savings.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone Advantage provides Up to $6,000 DPA, while Virginia's Virginia Housing DPA Grant offers Up to 2.5% grant. 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 and Virginia are broadly similar in housing costs, with only $708/month separating them in total PITI payments. In cases like this, your decision should be driven by lifestyle preferences — job opportunities, climate, proximity to family, and quality of life — rather than pure cost savings. Either state offers a reasonable path to homeownership.