Americans love Pennsylvania! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to a thriving art culture, the Keystone State has got it all.
Pennsylvania offers its residents an excellent quality of life, as it stands as the 3rd best place to live in America. The median home value for Pennsylvania is $262,900. The State scores 81/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 4% lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Pennsylvania.
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3 Reasons to Live in Pennsylvania 🥨
- Tax-Friendly State: There’s a flat 3.07% tax on your income, which lets you keep more of your paycheck. Moreover, retirement income is exempt from tax.
- Affordable Living: Necessities like housing and groceries cost 13% and 3% less than the rest of the country, respectively.
- Booming Job Market: Pennsylvania added 370,000 jobs in August 2023, and the job opening rate was 5.7%.
Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lancaster | 57,453 | $275,000 | $7,462 | 2.4% | 59/100 |
| 2. | State College | 40,745 | $375,000 | $7,559 | 2.3% | 57/100 |
| 3. | Philadelphia | 1,596,865 | $245,000 | $7,883 | 3.5% | 67/100 |
| 4. | Allentown | 125,094 | $215,000 | $7,592 | 3.4% | 60/100 |
| 5. | Harrisburg | 50,183 | $171,000 | $7,249 | 2.7% | 62/100 |
| 6. | Pittsburgh | 302,898 | $248,000 | $6,666 | 3.0% | 61/100 |
| 7. | Scranton | 75,848 | $166,000 | $6,579 | 3.5% | 58/100 |
1. Lancaster: Best Place in Pennsylvania to Live a Simple Life
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.6% |
| Median Income | $54,145 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,462 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 59/100 |
Lancaster is famous for its serene farmlands and traditional craft-making. The median home price in Lancaster is $275,000, which is significantly less than the national average of $414,633.
You can enjoy hiking trails during pleasant weather. Moreover, the city has a minor-league baseball team for sports enthusiasts to enjoy. In addition, the health and business sectors are major contributors to Lancaster’s economy.
» Homes For Sale in Lancaster, PA: Browse through thousands of properties in this peaceful town.
2. State College: Best Town to Live in PA for College Students
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.9% |
| Median Income | $43,015 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,559 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 57/100 |
Home to Penn State University, State College is one of the best cities in Pennsylvania to live for students. The median home price in State College is $375,000. The college town offers a cost of living that is 7.6% lower than the national average.
Kayaking and hiking are among the favorite activities of residents of Happy Valley. In addition, Rothrock State Forest and Black Moshannon State Park are the go-to spots for quick getaways.
» Homes for Sale in State College, PA: Get yourself a home in this college town.
3. Philadelphia: Best Place to Live in Pennsylvania for Culture and History
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.8% |
| Median Income | $52,649 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,883 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 67/100 |
Philadelphia is affordable in terms of housing, despite being one of the biggest cities in Pennsylvania. The median home price in Philadelphia is $245,000. The cost of living is just 4% higher than the national average.
Philadelphia is one of the best cities to live in Pennsylvania. The city is famous for its cultural diversity and rich history. It has more than 25 neighborhoods, all with a vibe of their own.
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are some of the most famous attractions. In addition, the city also values music and art greatly, and you can see 4000 murals painted across the city.
» Homes for Sale in Philadelphia, PA: Find a home in one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania.
4. Allentown: Best City in PA for a Growing Job Market
| Home Value | ⬆️ 8.1% |
| Median Income | $47,703 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,592 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 60/100 |
Allentown is one of the fastest-growing cities in Pennsylvania. The median home price in Allentown is $215,000. The cost of living in A-town is just 6% over the national average.
The city has a thriving job market, particularly in the manufacturing industry. Many businesses, including Air Products and Norfolk Southern Railway, have their headquarters in Allentown. Moreover, it also offers a multitude of business opportunities.
» Homes for Sale in Allentown, PA: Browse through thousands of properties in this flourishing town.
5. Harrisburg: Best Place to Live in Pennsylvania for Families
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.1% |
| Median Income | $44,444 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,249 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 62/100 |
Harrisburg is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. The capital offers a futuristic as well as a historic vibe. It was a training center during the Civil War and is home to the National Civil War Museum.
The median home price in Harrisburg is $171,000 and the cost of living is just 2% higher than the national average. Moreover, the city boasts a lively music culture, with live performances at local coffeehouses and bookstores.
» Homes for Sale in Harrisburg, PA: Find your home in the capital city.
6. Pittsburgh: Best Township in PA for Working Professionals
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.6% |
| Median Income | $54,306 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,666 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 61/100 |
Pittsburgh offers a slow-paced life with ample green spaces. Known to be among the most affordable cities in Pennsylvania, housing costs in Pittsburgh are 7% lower than the national average.
Pittsburgh’s primary industries remain manufacturing and production. However, the city has also grown in other fields like healthcare, life sciences, and engineering.
» Homes for Sale in Pittsburgh, PA: View thousands of affordable properties in Pittsburgh.
7. Scranton: Best Town in Pennsylvania for 55 and Older or Retirees
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.5% |
| Median Income | $44,161 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,579 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 58/100 |
Despite being the 6th largest city in Pennsylvania, Scranton reflects a small-town vibe. It is largely because of the tight-knit community of people.
Apart from this, the Electric City offers affordable living. The median home price in Scranton is $166,000, and the cost of living is 7% lower than the national average.
» Homes for Sale in Scranton, PA: Browse through thousands of affordable properties.
Bottom Line
Pennsylvania is one of the best places to live in the US due to its low cost of living, culture, and history. It’s close to other metro areas, such as NYC, Boston, etc.
One of the most tax-friendly states for retirees is Pennsylvania, where retirement income is exempt from taxes. Even if you’re not a retiree, the tax is flat at 3.07%, which means you will have more disposable income.
The median home price in Pennsylvania is $273,500, which is fairly affordable in comparison to the national average. However, it’s advisable to do thorough research before making a decision. You can browse properties online.
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Research Methodology
We considered different parameters to rank the best places in Pennsylvania. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Pennsylvania and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Pennsylvania Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the best cities to live in Pennsylvania for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do millionaires live in Pennsylvania?
Some of the richest neighborhoods in Pennsylvania include the suburbs of Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
Where is the most affordable place to live in Pennsylvania?
Scranton is among the most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania. The median home price in Scranton is $166,000, whereas the cost of living is 7% below the national average.
How many first-class cities are there in PA?
Philadelphia is the only first-class city in Pennsylvania.
What is the nicest but cheapest place to live in Pennsylvania?
With a cost of living 7.6% below the national average, State College is the cheapest place to live in Pennsylvania.
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