15 Best places to live in Pennsylvania Crazy Tourist 2023
Pennsylvania is downright beautiful. The State of Independence is home to some of the country’s richest history, incredible culture and, yes, a picturesque landscape. The Appalachian Mountains are found here, and the state has over 120 state parks, with over 100 miles of coastline and a diverse selection of major cities, each with its unique character.
Mountain climbers will enjoy this state, and so do surfers, skydivers and skiers, depending on your location. But Pennsylvania wouldn’t be where it is without its people, a friendly bunch. No wonder the Keystone State is widely considered one of the best states to retire from.
Aside from natural appeal, it’s a notion primarily driven by other factors that are essential for anyone interested in complex data: economic dynamism (it’s the sixth-largest economy in the country), good health, school districts that far outpace other states, affordability, low homelessness, and high quality of life.
For a state as sprawling as PA, this can be overwhelming for any potential resident looking for accommodation. But you can always count on us to save you. So here are the best places to live in Pennsylvania to help better inform your decision.
1. Penn Wynne
Penn Wynne is a suburb in Montgomery County with a population of about 6,000 and often shows up in many quality-of-life surveys.
That’s because all seems well in Penn Wynne. It has an excellent school system rated A+ by Niche.com, a website that analyzes public data to provide assessments and rankings for schools and neighbourhoods. Indeed, this system is responsible for a higher graduation rate, 13% higher than the rest of the state.
The crime rate in this suburb, which includes primarily residential streets, is practically non-existent. Residents with a large Orthodox Jewish population want to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle and work together to preserve the area’s natural assets. The going rate for a three-to-four-bedroom property is $351,100, and its average rent of $1,639. It can be called reasonable, considering that Penn Wynne often shows up in America’s best places to live.
2. Hershey
Hershey is a community of 15,000 people in Dauphin County, often dubbed the sweetest place on earth. And that’s because this is where one of America’s most beloved chocolate brands, Hershey’s, is based.
Chocolate Town is a tourist paradise where visitors flock to the chocolate world of Hershey. The community is more than just a tourist attraction for anyone looking to make their home here.
It has a stellar school system that the US Department of Education has already recognized for excellence, and it’s a culture still pervasive in its public schools to this day, with a higher high school graduation rate of 10% over the state average.
The crime rate is practically non-existent in this peaceful community, although the employment rate could be slightly improved. Surprisingly, the cost of living is low, with homes renting on average at $886 and homes valued at $238,100.
3. Mount Lebanon
If the above-average high school graduation rate, average income, low crime rate, and plenty of local amenities sound like a good combination to you when choosing accommodation in the state of coal, think Mount Lebanon.
The cost of living in this town of 33,000 is slightly higher than you’d encounter in other parts of Pennsylvania. The median home value is $225,100, and the rent is just over $100 above the national average ($835).
But with all the perks promised by this suburb of Pittsburgh, you can justify moving here.
4. Jefferson Hills
Jefferson Hills, a suburb of 11,000, is just 15 miles south of Pittsburgh. They are mostly middle-class people who earn an average of $77,854.
A dollar in Jefferson Hills goes a long way, as the cost of living is relatively low, with homes averaging $189,700. The crime rate isn’t as standard as expected, but other than that, the suburb is doing pretty well.
Families have access to five city parks, not to mention a 150-mile network of biking and hiking trails known as the Great Allegheny Passage. Additionally, plenty of youth sports activities are available, including roller hockey, swimming, diving and more. The high schools may not be the best in the state, but they are doing quite well and have a 96% graduation rate.
5. South Park
You’ll often find a neighbourhood named South Park in many places you go to in America: Seattle, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, etc. Pittsburgh has one too, and it is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania.
The suburb of 13,500 is home to some of the best schools in the state. What’s impressive is that the cost of living is still below the national average. Homes sell for an average of $148,800 (compared to a national average of $178,600), which is lower than most other countries on this list.
15 Best places to live in Pennsylvania Crazy Tourist 2023
With a meagre crime rate and a county park featuring a concert pavilion, dog park, wave pool, skating rink, trail system, golf course and tennis courts, you won’t find a better community to settle in than South Park, PA.
6. Bethel Park
This Pittsburgh suburb of 32,300 gives you plenty of reasons to call it home. The education system is one of the best in Pennsylvania and crime is low. The cost of living is well below the national average, and the area is so rich in the natural beauty that it’s hard to believe that a three-bedroom home costs an average of $162,300.
You don’t venture into Bethel Park without encountering green spaces that are not meticulously maintained. It means there’s plenty of room for your children to play and run around in, which makes for a compelling reason to start a family here.
7. Radnor Township
Radnor Township is located in Delaware County and has a population of 31,500. We admit it’s not the friendliest town in the state, but if education is one of the determining factors in choosing the perfect place to live, you can’t do better than Radnor Township.
The population here is well educated, with good public schools rated A+ on Niche .com and top universities like Eastern College and Villanova University.
So it’s no surprise that the median income of $106,538 is double the national average and one of the highest in the state. That’s more than enough to shield residents from the high cost of living in a place where homes average $622,500.
8. Emmaus
The quaint suburb of Emmaus is nestled in scenic Lehigh County near Allentown. It is a historic community with a population of 11,300 that loves the area for more than peace. The education system is excellent, and the cost of living is low, with homes costing $171,800 on average.
Emmaus is a nearby community known for its friendly atmosphere, and its quality of life has not escaped Money Magazine, which has featured the suburb more than once in its 100 best places to live in the United States.
Anyone who’s watched the comedy-drama Marley & Me (Owen Wilson/Jennifer Aniston) might be surprised to know that Emmaus is the natural home of the family that inspired the film.
9. McCandless
The oil state has seen its share of towns and suburbs feature in dozens of lists of the best places to live, and this suburb of about 29,000 people is just one of these highly regarded places in the state.
McCandless has some of the best school districts in Pennsylvania, and its myriad recreational opportunities increase its appeal to families.
The Strip District, Wood Street Galleries, and Benedum Theater will immerse culture vultures, while Schenley Park, The Riverwalk and Point State State Park will provide space for all outdoor enthusiasts.
North Park Lake promises good fishing, paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking, while the area’s many sports teams (Steelers, Pirates and Penguins) provide a much-loved distraction from the weekly schedule. A three-bedroom at McCandless costs $214,600.
10. Lower Salford
Lower Salford is a township in Montgomery County in which 15,300 residents reside. Schools in Pennsylvania make this state a magnet for families across the country, and Lower Salford is a further testament to that.
Some of the most reputable schools are in the area, and residents enjoy the friendly feeling of its community.Crime would not be a concern for you living here, and in the slim chance that you find yourself unwelcome, the local police are known to be very responsive.
The only downside to living in Lower Salford is that while Pennsylvania is renowned as a destination for foodies, it’s an area the city isn’t mainly known for.But with parents earning $92,574 per year, there is always plenty to do for the weekends.
11. Willow Grove
Willow Grove is another Montgomery town with roughly the same population as neighbouring Lower Salford
. The excellent schools and ample amenities draw fifteen thousand six hundred people to live there. Willow Grove works for you if you fancy a serene, sparsely populated neighbourhood. Here.
15 Best places to live in Pennsylvania Crazy Tourist 2023
Bloomingdale’s. Macy’s. Michael Kors. Apple. JC Penny. Pandora, to name a few. Willow Grove also has a fascinating history as the ‘Music Capitol of America’.
An average of $244,500 for a three-bedroom home only shows why Keystone State is often praised for its low cost of living because it is an affluent neighbourhood with some of the highest home values in the state.
12. East Whiteland
East Whiteland East Whiteland is a suburb of historic Philadelphia. It is located in Chester County and has a population of almost 11,000.
East Whiteland makes it to our list of the best places to live in Pennsylvania because, to begin with, it has an excellent school system where some of the most advanced tools in the shedThis community was founded as early as 1704 by Welsh settlers and had a relatively low crime rate. Your chances of being the victim of a property crime are lower than those of your current neighbourhood (0.06%).
There’s a lot of diversity for a community of its size, but that’s probably due to its proximity to the big city.ll these advantages must be taken into account, which is why the cost of living in East Whiteland is relatively high.Single-family properties for rent cost an average of $1,390, and the median home value is $372,200.
13. West Chester
Speaking of Chester County, if you prefer to live around Philly, one of the best places to stay is in West Chester.The suburb of 19,000 is a treat for history buffs looking to delve into Pennsylvania’s deep past.
It’s read with historic homes and buildings so treasured they’re protected, and laying the feet here is like stepping into a time capsule. Naturally, the cost of living is high, with the median home value at $313,700.The education system, however, can hold its own with the best in the state, boasting the highest graduation rate.
14. State College
State College is a city in Center County considered one of the best in Pennsylvania. It topped the list of “Best Cities” in 2015, according to Niche, ranking 14th in the world.
State College is the main campus of Penn State University and has a population of 42,000, whose median household income is $29,450.It is on the lower end of the other places on this list, but life is generally affordable, except for one clue: housing. Rent averages $967, and homes are valued at an average of $277,100.
Other than that, living in the State College guarantees many benefits.Low crime rate. Reduced travel time, with most residents spending an average of 16.29 minutes getting to their station. Lively nightlife. Lots of outdoor activities. And, of course, being in the Quaker state, the education is top-notch.
15. Cecil
Finally, we have Cecil, a township of 11,700 people in Washington County. It’s a great place to raise a family thanks to its perfect balance of excellent schools, a low crime rate and the availability of well-paying jobs. Cecil Business Park is home to several large companies, such as Consul Energy and Ansys.
These companies are likely responsible for the high incomes of residents of this area, a single household bringing in an average of $75,957.Homes in Cecil are priced at $206,300, though rents are slightly lower than the national average ($919 vs. $928).
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15 Best places to live in Pennsylvania Crazy Tourist 2023