Multiple PA Cities Make U.S. Most Expensive Cell Phone Bills List

PITTSBURGH, PA — When it comes to having the nation's most expensive wireless phone bills, a new study has concluded that two Pennsylvania cities rank among the highest.

NumberBarn, a phone number management company, analyzed average monthly cell phone costs across 50 of the largest U.S. cities to determine how much Americans are spending on wireless service each month.

Average monthly wireless phone bill data came from the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index for this year's second quarter. It was used to estimate pricing based on standardized usage patterns across U.S. cities. The Cost of Living Index methodology used weights derived from the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey to reflect how households allocate spending across categories such as utilities and housing services.

The study concluded that the city with the most expensive wireless bill is Chicago, where the average monthly bill is estimated to be $213.92.

Two Pennsylvania cities are not far behind. Philadelphia ranked 17th with an average monthly bill of $203.60, which equates to annual payments of $2,443. Pittsburgh placed 19th; the average monthly bill is $202.10 or $2,425 annually.

Nationwide, the average monthly phone bill is $196.70, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research. These costs might seem high, but 57 percent of Americans are on shared or family phone plans, according to the survey. That means most households are paying for multiple lines of service.

One reason Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have above average cell phone bills is that both have above average wireless service tax rates. According to the study, the state has combined local, state and federal taxes of 31 percent, the nation's ninth-highest.

The state with the highest combined tax rates on wireless is Illinois at 36 percent.

According to the report, despite having just a few major national carriers, phone bills still differ from city to city. Regional pricing strategies, taxes, infrastructure, and local consumer behavior all play a role.

Carriers like Verizon and AT&T often offer different rates and promotions depending on market competition. While one city might benefit from multi-line deals, another may face higher prices due to fewer options.

See the entire study here.