Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania

Rich in American history, Pennsylvania is also popular for its abundant natural scenery, including the beautiful driving routes through the Poconos; diverse culture and creative arts; great food (who can turn down a real Philly cheesesteak!) and a surprising affordability. Though it’s home to over 20 Fortune 500 companies, it has also become a landing place for tech startups and entrepreneurs.

Choosing the best place to live in Pennsylvania really evolves around your desire for charming small towns, rural living or the excitement and energy of thriving major metropolitan areas. To help you decide, here are some of the top 8 best places to live based on US News and World Report.

Check out Pennsylvania state pages to see more cities:

Harrisburg offers Riverfront festivals & outdoor activities along the Susquehanna River.

With a population of 571,013, Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, would be considered a small to medium sized city when compared to several of the largest Metro areas. With a median home price of only $265K and rental offerings under $1000/mo., it’s not surprising that this city draws in millennials (median age is 40) desiring an affordable place to raise a family. In addition to a great job market, Harrisburg offers great outdoor activities. When you’re not enjoying the many festivals and events held at Riverfront Park, you may simply take in its gorgeous scenery while enjoying a run, walk or bike ride along the Susquehanna River trails. Even more adventurous? Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a favorite pastime for both tourists and citizens. There are also many state parks and forest nearby with campgrounds and mountain bike trails. With its affordable housing and lower cost of living, this east coast wonder may be your next place to call home!

Pittsburg offers over 2000 acres of riverfront, county and state parks!

Once only known for the many smoke stacks and pollution of the steel industry, Pittsburgh has evolved into, what US News and World Report ranks, as the #2 place to live in PA. Since the steel mills closed, this city is cleaner and energized by the ability to live and work without having to break the bank. The average annual salary here is a little over $50,000 with an affordable median home price of around $200K and average rent of only $831. Don’t let the huge metro population of 2,331,447 keep you from realizing Pittsburg offers almost 2000 acres of riverfront, county and state parks for your entire family to enjoy! And of course, there’s all the professional sports teams that draw life long fans to living and playing in this city!

Serene green spaces are just a short drive from Lancaster’s growing urban area.

Lancaster, ranked 3rd best place to live in Pennsylvania, offers a surprising blend of residents consisting of farmers in sprawling rural areas, young urban professionals and growing families plus college students (home of Penn State, Univ of Pennsylvania & several smaller colleges). With a medium sized population of 541,000, these communities flow one to the other seamlessly creating a unique and balanced lifestyle. While the cost of living is similar to the national average, the cost of housing is lower with a median home price of $226,550 drawing in a median age group of 38.6 years. Beautiful green spaces combine with exciting commercial growth to make Lancaster a great place to call home!

York City Center provides art, culture, music and a thriving lifestyle.

Though again on a more medium-sized scale with a population of around 445,000 people, York is quickly becoming a thriving center for the arts with the growth of art galleries, both classic film and live theater performances within the character of balconied theaters plus the social community draw of craft breweries. There’s even the excitement and family fun of having their own minor league baseball team, The York Revolution! Another enjoyable activity for all residents is their famous Central Market farmers market. Low housing costs, with a median home being $176,650, make this as great place for young families to grow and live as it is for those retiring on a fixed income. In fact, many working in higher cost areas of Maryland commute from York.

Affordable Reading Metro area with culture, sports and outdoor lifestyle options.

Coming in at #5 on US News and World Report’s best places to live in PA, is Reading. Very low cost of living, with a median home cost almost half the national average at just under $160,000, Reading’s metro area appeals to many who love an active, outdoor lifestyle with miles of walking/jogging/biking trails along with summer fun on the water enjoying kayaking and canoeing on the Schuylkill River. Rather be a spectator than participant? Reading is home to the Philadelphia Phillies minor league baseball team, the Reading Fightin Phils!

Albertus L Meyers Bridge in Allentown PA

If you’re a history buff or just someone who enjoys living amongst the charm of century old homes and industrial buildings with historical significance, then Allentown may be the best city to live in Pennsylvania. Many of the closed steel mills and manufacturing buildings have been Architect updated and converted into modern apartments and Lofts giving you the best of old and new! On a larger scale with 837,610 residents, Allentown still offers affordable housing with a median home price of $266,320. Sports fans will also enjoy calling Allentown home getting to choose from the Phillies’ Triple-A baseball team, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs or The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ hockey farm team.

Scranton reveals a perfect blend of a vibrant downtown with surrounding close-knit neighborhoods.

Once the iron and steel capital of the 19th & 20th centuries, Scranton is the 6th largest city in Pennsylvania. In addition to its bustling and energetic downtown, surrounding areas reveal close-knit neighborhoods and small town appeal. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail offers a serene and lovely nature trail perfect for an afternoon stroll or bike ride. Other features worth a visit are the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum and the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in McDade Park; Beautiful views from the David Wenzel Treehouse overlook and Scranton’s largest park, Nay Aug Park, with swimming pools, greenhouse and rose garden. This may be one of the most affordable places to live and play with an average salary around $44,000 against a very low median home price of $100,600.

Scranton Homes for Sale

Philadelphia is a plethora of natural, architectural and historical beauty!

Coming in as 8th best place to live in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia’s population exceeds 6 million yet has a cost of living just slightly higher than the national average compared with nearby East Coast metros like New York City and Washington DC. Housing costs; however, at $304,667 are still below the national average. Food is a huge part of the Philly scene ranging from fine dining to a burgeoning food truck scene and of course, the Philly cheesesteak! All that and beer gardens galore make for fun weekend adventures! Whether you’re single just starting out or growing a family, Philadelphia offers features for everyone with an array of art galleries, music & theater venues, 300 year old buildings and of course important historical monuments like the Liberty Bell!!

Frequently asked questions

Question: What is Pennsylvania most know for?

One of the original 13 colonies, Pennsylvania is known for Gettysburg, the Liberty Bell, Dutch/Amish Country, the Rolling Hills of the Poconos, Outdoor beauty of numerous Lakes & State Parks plus, without question, the Philly Cheesesteak!

Question: What is the population of Pennsylvania?

Ranked as the 5th most populous state in the United States, Pennsylvania’s estimated 2022 population is 12.91 Million.

Question: What are some interesting & fun things to do in Pennsylvania?

Historic sites like the Gettysburg National Military Park is fun and educational for the whole family. Hershey Gardens & Butterfly House along with the many lakes and state parks make for great nature focused excursions. The Amish community offers an education, natural beauty & a great place to do some shopping! You can spend a full day exploring the shops and diversity of the Lancaster Central Market.

Find more homes for sale in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG

PITTSBURGH

LANCASTER

YORK

READING

ALLENTOWN

SCRANTON

PHILADELPHIA

Frequently asked questions

Question: What is Pennsylvania most know for?

Question: What is the population of Pennsylvania?

Question: What are some interesting & fun things to do in Pennsylvania?