When you’re planning on shifting to Pennsylvania, add these cities to your listing.
Pennsylvania is a splendidly various state, dwelling to historical past, pure splendor, and thriving trade. Often known as the Keystone State, Pennsylvania has lengthy been formed by its central role in U.S. historical past, trade, and coverage. The steel and coal industries have been significantly necessary to the state’s economic system and tradition, and manufacturing remains foundational to its id.
Pennsylvania has six distinct geographic regions, together with plains, mountains, valleys, and plateaus, every with their very own distinctive cultures and histories. The state is pretty delicate and sees between 34 and 52 inches of precipitation yearly. Snow is frequent each winter, although a majority falls close to Lake Erie and within the Appalachian Mountains. Nor’easters, thunderstorms, and tropical storms may cause flooding close to rivers.
Largely due to their affordability, many main cities in Pennsylvania have seen a current surge in house prices and population growth, as folks spring to purchase properties they will afford. Curiosity has solely grown as nationwide housing prices proceed to rise, resulting in a statewide shortage of homes. This, together with a concerted effort to modernize the state’s economic system, has turned some former Rust Belt cities, like Pittsburgh, into lively hubs of neighborhood and innovation. However, which cities are the very best?
On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the very best locations to dwell in Pennsylvania, rating them on qualities resembling affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You could find extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
One of the best locations to dwell in Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Erie, PA
- Scranton, PA
- Allentown, PA
- Harrisburg, PA
- Reading, PA
- Lancaster, PA
- Bethlehem, PA
- Levittown, PA
1. Pittsburgh, PA
| Inhabitants: | 303,255 |
| Median Sale Value: | $235,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,475 |
| Common Commute Time: | 23.1 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 3.4% |
Overlook what you’ve heard: Pittsburgh, the long-lasting “Metal Metropolis,” has utterly reworked over the previous few a long time. What was as soon as a metropolis caught in a post-industrial previous has reworked right into a thriving middle of know-how, medication, and innovation, all whereas holding on to its blue-collar spirit. And it’s not done growing, with a just lately authorised $600 million plan to revitalize its downtown underway.
Dwelling in Pittsburgh is a deal with. Historical past, pure splendor, and classy outlets collide with rusty remnants of town’s previous, making a metropolis that feels alive. Well-known sights just like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Strip District’s Markets, and Duquesne Incline (one of many final inclines within the nation) are must-sees. Inexperienced area is plentiful and enjoyable to discover, like at Level State Park or the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. You may get round simply by light rail.
Pittsburgh’s hilly terrain is outlined by three rivers – the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio – creating dramatic views and distinctive neighborhoods linked by a whopping 446 bridges. The Three Sisters Bridges are in all probability probably the most well-known, all named after native legends. One of many three, the Roberto Clemente Bridge, turns into a pedestrian-only walkway on Pirates (MLB) sport days. Unsurprisingly, sports are integral to locals. Together with the Pirates, The Steelers (NFL), Penguins (NHL), and Pitt Panthers draw tens of 1000’s to each sport.
A small, reasonably priced, walkable metropolis with the facilities of a significant metropolis, plus loads of character, make Pittsburgh the very best place to dwell in Pennsylvania.
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2. Philadelphia, PA
| Inhabitants: | 1,550,542 |
| Median Sale Value: | $285,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,885 |
| Common Commute Time: | 32 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 5.4% |
As Pennsylvania’s largest metropolis and one of many nation’s most historic, Philadelphia combines East Coast power with a down-to-earth vibe. Based in 1682, town is very well-known for its many firsts: the primary library, hospital, college, artwork museum, zoo, and extra. Different landmarks embrace Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Whereas it’s outdated, it’s always evolving and stays one of many nation’s premier cities.
You’ll by no means tire of exploring Philly. You possibly can simply see the old and densely packed buildings of Rittenhouse Sq. and peruse hip outlets in Fishtown in an hour. In case you have extra time, watch town’s streets and row homes give method to fashionable skyscrapers in Heart Metropolis and Fairmount, the place you’ll discover museums, parks, and the expansive Schuylkill River Path – excellent for biking and operating. Philadelphia is definitely fairly compact, with dozens of neighborhoods that every have a singular vibe. Getting round is made straightforward through sturdy subway and bus programs (SEPTA).
Philadelphia’s tradition units it other than most different cities. The humanities are well-liked, headlined by the traditional Walnut Avenue Theatre and loads of arts colleges, and music is woven into town’s bones. Immigrants have performed an important function within the arts because the metropolis’s founding.
In fact, you’ll be able to’t miss the meals. Cheesesteaks reign supreme – strive Pat’s, Geno’s, or one of many numerous neighborhood spots – however they’re solely the start. Choices additionally embrace roast pork sandwiches, smooth pretzels, water ice, and a rising roster of worldwide eateries, craft breweries, and famend BYOB restaurants.
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3. Erie, PA
| Inhabitants: | 92,957 |
| Median Sale Value: | $180,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $920 |
| Common Commute Time: | 18.6 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 4.8% |
One of many snowiest cities within the nation, Erie is Pennsylvania’s lakeside hub. It was nicknamed “Gem City” for its pristine pure harbor, which nonetheless boasts a thriving maritime trade. Residents love Erie’s mid-sized really feel; not too large to create site visitors or really feel claustrophobic, however with loads of facilities all through its historic streets.
Pesque Isle State Park is a must-see, whereas the Erie Maritime Museum particulars the area’s intertwined historical past with the lake. Lake transport, metalworking, and manufacturing have been essential industries that helped develop Erie into town it’s at the moment. Its skyline still reflects its industrial previous but additionally seems to be ahead, just like the 120-year old Mercantile Building turning right into a slick workplace area.
There are a couple of downsides, although. Winters could be lengthy and snowy, with particularly heavy snow throughout lake-effect storms. Homes additionally run on the older side, and nightlife is restricted and would require a automotive to get to. On the intense aspect, commerce jobs are plentiful, there are many reasonably priced sporting occasions, and town continues to develop. Catch the Erie Otters play Minor League Hockey on the Erie Insurance coverage Area, or watch the Erie Seawolves play Minor League ball.
Erie properties on the market | Erie houses for rent | Erie apartments for rent
4. Scranton, PA
| Inhabitants: | 75,805 |
| Median Sale Value: | $218,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,250 |
| Common Commute Time: | 19.5 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 2.9% |
A Nineteenth-century industrial mecca, Scranton at the moment is best identified for its close-knit neighborhood, affordability, and old-town really feel. The promise of jobs drew 1000’s of immigrants to the world to mine anthracite coal and iron and work on railroads and in textile mills – a hard-working angle that’s celebrated today. You possibly can be taught extra in regards to the area’s mining historical past on the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum or the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.
Scranton is a small metropolis that punches above its weight. Boutiques, galleries, eating places, and outlets fill the compact downtown core, often in brick or stone buildings. Cracked roads and run-down buildings are a reasonably frequent sight, however the metropolis is always under improvement.
Nature-wise, Scranton is top-notch. Nay Aug Park options waterfalls, mountaineering trails, and a treehouse, whereas McDade Park has trails, an arboretum, and a pool. You’re additionally nestled between mountains on both aspect, offering nice views and mountaineering spots year-round. Montage Mountain Resorts even has snowboarding within the winter.
If you must select one factor to do, although, it needs to be to take the Pizza Trail. Scranton has distinctive pizza of all kinds, highlighted by the well-known “Old Forge Pizza” fashion, which is served in cuts fairly than slices. Alfredo’s, Mama Mia’s, and Sabellini’s are high locations to expertise the very best pizza on the town, however locals can have a favourite spot.
Scranton properties on the market | Scranton houses for rent | Scranton apartments for rent
5. Allentown, PA
| Inhabitants: | 124,880 |
| Median Sale Value: | $335,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,425 |
| Common Commute Time: | 24.8 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 6.4% |
Allentown was based in 1762 and hasn’t skipped a beat since. It’s particularly well-known for its function in early American history, which you’ll be able to study on the Liberty Bell Museum, however has a lot extra to brag about, too. The outside are all the time shut by within the Blue Mountains, which provides ski resorts and loads of trails. You may also cheer on the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park, or take a fast jaunt to Philadelphia and NYC for big-city enjoyable. Museums and historic landmarks are different execs, just like the well-known Zion’s United Church of Christ.
All through city, you’ll discover the whole lot from century-old industrial buildings and historic homes, to fashionable bars and eating places. Allentown exhibits its age in some deserted warehouses and outdated buildings, however a couple of have was artists’ lofts and classy outlets. In actual fact, town has undergone a major revamp over the previous decade, and its downtown continues to develop. But when chains and mall purchasing are extra your fashion, head north on MacArthur Street for the whole lot you possibly can need.
Allentown is the third-biggest metropolis in Pennsylvania and the biggest of three interconnected cities within the Lehigh Valley, the opposite two being Bethlehem and Easton. The area is stuffed with pure magnificence and was pivotal in growing America’s early trade, particularly as soon as the Lehigh Canal was in-built 1829, which you can tour at the moment. The area sees chilly winters and heat, humid summers.
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6. Harrisburg, PA
| Inhabitants: | 50,012 |
| Median Sale Value: | $274,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,190 |
| Common Commute Time: | 20.6 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 5.7% |
The state capital, Harrisburg is a quaint and historic metropolis within the coronary heart of Pennsylvania. It has an interesting mixture of small-town attraction and fashionable facilities, all at an reasonably priced value. Schools, historic theaters, fashionable skyscrapers, and the dazzling Capitol Constructing line the historic downtown’s slender streets, earlier than opening as much as tree-lined boulevards with colonial-style homes. It’s not laborious to consider that it’s among the finest locations to dwell in Pennsylvania.
The outside are straightforward to achieve by foot and satisfying to discover. Working and biking alongside Riverfront Park and the ancient Susquehanna River is a deal with. You possibly can even circle the complete metropolis (almost 21 miles) through the Capital Area Greenbelt. When you’re out, you’ll doubtless encounter a pageant or occasion or see one occurring at close by City Island – a well-liked 63 acre park. The Kipona Festival, celebrating Native peoples, is a must-see that occurs round Labor Day.
Getting round is simple. Amusement-filled Hershey is 20 minutes away, and it’s simply a few hours alongside the PA Turnpike to achieve Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Trains run all the best way to New York, too, and buses take you to necessary stops within the metropolis and neighborhood.
Harrisburg properties on the market | Harrisburg houses for rent | Harrisburg apartments for rent
7. Studying, PA
| Inhabitants: | 94,903 |
| Median Sale Value: | $269,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,230 |
| Common Commute Time: | 23.6 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 6.9% |
Studying (pronounced “Redding”) is an icon of American trade within the Pennsylvania heartland. Downtown, rows of outdated brick buildings home fashionable conveniences, and commemorative plaques have a good time centuries of business historical past. A really low price of residing, straightforward tempo of life, and lovely surroundings are high attracts.
As a quintessential Rust Belt metropolis, Studying’s economic system has often been in a continuing state of transition. It was long at the epicenter of main growth, just like the Schuylkill and Union Canals within the 1800s, and even housed important iron manufacturing throughout the Revolutionary Struggle. However economic decline sometimes adopted as society advanced and desires shifted. Manufacturing is alive and well at the moment, however there may be evidence of disrepair all through the area.
Nonetheless, town homes an enormous variety of industrial-era landmarks. You possibly can go to the real-life Reading Railroad from Monopoly, the Nineteenth-century Allegheny Aqueduct, and dozens of outdated hosiery plants, of which there have been as soon as 77.
Individuals from everywhere in the world have been drawn to Studying’s promise of labor over the centuries, with a big Pennsylvania Dutch inhabitants nonetheless distinguished. As such, quite a lot of eating places and outlets dot town’s grid, which bleeds into neighboring suburbs Wyomissing, Laureldale, and Mt. Penn.
Studying properties on the market | Reading houses for rent | Reading apartments for rent
8. Lancaster, PA
| Inhabitants: | 57,153 |
| Median Sale Value: | $330,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,450 |
| Common Commute Time: | 23.4 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 4.3% |
Lancaster, is the eight-best place to dwell in Pennsylvania. Providing an incredible steadiness of pure magnificence and a bustling downtown, Lancaster has a singular historical past. Town has played host to societal modifications for hundreds of years, significantly throughout the Industrial Revolution, when it gained a significant railroad and constructed the Conestoga Steam Mills. Farming and trade grew ever well-liked and stay cornerstones of Lancaster at the moment, celebrated at occasions year-round.
Inside only a few miles, you’ll be able to go to picturesque farms, manicured suburbs, and classy eateries, lots of that are walkable. Native farmers and crafters promote their bounties three days per week on the 18th-century Lancaster Central Market, housed in an iconic brick constructing downtown. Giant parks, Victorian-era buildings, and an old-world really feel add attraction and livability.
Farmland and tree groves outline the panorama virtually instantly after leaving town. East of Lancaster are main Amish and Mennonite communities, with some offering tours of their farms. Journey two hours additional east or south and also you’ll find yourself in Philadelphia and Baltimore – excellent for a day journey.
Vital to notice: the miles of farmland close by produce a variety of unpleasant smells, which frequently waft into town. Kellogg’s and Mars Chocolate have factories to the north that may add a candy twist into the aroma, too. You’ll get used to the smells after some time, however it could take time to regulate. Air high quality may be an issue round processing crops outdoors town.
Lancaster properties on the market | Lancaster houses for rent | Lancaster apartments for rent
9. Bethlehem, PA
| Inhabitants: | 78,300 |
| Median Sale Value: | $271,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,650 |
| Common Commute Time: | 22.4 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 3.3% |
Simply east of Allentown within the stunning Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem packs loads into its centuries-old bones. Town was founded in 1741 by Moravian settlers, was a steel-production powerhouse, and at the moment is a quaint metropolis with a youthful power. It’s each cosmopolitan and intimate, offering quiet respites and a downtown with all of the digs. An reasonably priced price of residing doesn’t harm, both.
The area’s Moravian historical past makes Bethlehem a reasonably well-liked vacationer vacation spot. Considered one of 4 Moravian Church Settlements, all UNESCO World Heritage Websites, is situated on the town, as is the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District, which features a museum. Faith performed a significant function in Moravian life, and you may nonetheless discover locations of worship all through town. German festivals like Oktoberfest, Musikfest, and the comfy Christkindlmarkt are well-liked annual traditions.
Maybe Bethlehem’s very best quality is its small however vigorous downtown; it has the whole lot you want in a walkable structure. The historic Hotel Bethlehem, on the positioning of the city’s first house, is a must-see and best choice amongst guests. Completely satisfied hour hotspots, fashionable outlets, and Victorian townhomes line the historic streets, and there are even rooftop bars and a speakeasy. Plus, you’re minutes from Sand Island Park and the 140-mile lengthy D&L Trail. Nightlife is a bit missing in comparison with bigger cities, although.
Bethlehem properties on the market | Bethlehem houses for rent | Bethlehem apartments for rent
10. Levittown, PA
| Inhabitants: | 50,903 |
| Median Sale Value: | $425,000 |
| Median Lease Value: | $1,520 |
| Common Commute Time: | 28.9 minutes |
| Unemployment Price: | 3.2% |
Sitting between Trenton and Philadelphia, Levittown rounds out our listing of the very best locations to dwell in Pennsylvania. Levittown boasts a low price of residing, loads of facilities, and pockets of inexperienced area unfold all through. Town is break up between three townships: Bristol, Falls, and Middletown. Importantly, every have their very own tax codes to concentrate on, with Middletown having an Earned Earnings Tax.
Levittown, PA is the second of many deliberate communities constructed by Levitt & Sons within the years following World Struggle II. They shortly became the typified American suburb, with a garden and white picket fence. And notably, they have been intentionally exclusionary to non-white folks.
Houses in these communities have been in-built a method akin to an meeting line, manufactured in 26 steps over a day or two. Levittown, PA was built over the course of six years and accommodates barely greater than 17,300 properties, break up between six totally different fashions. The homes have been pretty bare bones by at the moment’s requirements, missing central air and basements. Some have been transformed since, however most are authentic.
Levittown borders the Delaware River to the south and isn‘t removed from the Atlantic Coast, which means out of doors recreation is plentiful. A number of the hottest issues to do close by embrace visiting the Bristol Wharf, exploring the Silver Lake Nature Heart, or studying about farming at Snipes Farm & Training Heart.
Levittown properties on the market | Levittown houses for rent | Levittown apartments for rent
Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Dwell rankings are supposed to assist dwelling searchers make an knowledgeable choice when selecting the place to dwell. To aim to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key elements, together with entry to healthcare, open out of doors area, navigability, housing traits, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of fifty,000 or larger have been thought-about for our Pennsylvania listing. Extra details about our methodology could be discovered right here.
Information legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
