Pennsylvania is home to beautiful scenery, historic charm, thriving cities and everyoneโs favorite office in Scranton. Retirees wanting to stay active during retirement and arenโt in the mood to live in humid Florida will love Pennsylvaniaโs four seasons and its great location along the East Coast.
Invest in your dream retirement in Pennsylvania. NewHomeSource highlights the top ten cities for retirees in Pennsylvania, making it easy for you to find the right community for your golden years.
Top 5 Cities to Retire in Pennsylvania
1. Johnstown
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.1%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 33.9
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 47.70
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 214
Johnstown is a delightful community in the heart of Pennsylvania. This affordable and fun town gives retirees the benefits of city living with a historic main street, fun museums, and yummy restaurants โ without the price tag of urban living. Beautiful scenery and a serene environment round out Johnstownโs charms.
2. Sharon
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 6.8%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 22.1
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 49.20
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 200
If youโre in the mood to savor retirement, then youโll love life in Sharon. This great town on the Ohio Pennsylvania border gives you all the benefits of living in a small town, including an affordable cost of living, a close-knit community, historic buildings, and plenty of lush local parks.
3. Pottsville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.3%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 20.7
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 31.50
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 131
Pottsville is a thriving small city in the heart of Pennsylvania. This charming historic town is perfect for retirees who want to stay active and engaged in the community, as it welcomes residents who thrive on having fun! Tour classic cars at Jerryโs Classic Cars & Collectibles. Take a walk on the wild side at local wineries and breweries.
4. Plymouth
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.9%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 55
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 27.20
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 210
Along the Susquehanna River, Plymouth livens up North Eastern Pennsylvania. It is 4 miles from Wilkes-Barre and has access to both Philadelphia and New York City. The friendly atmosphere makes this city great for a long-time residence. One way the community keeps that atmosphere alive is the annual Kielbasa Festival which hosts live music, over 80 vendors, and a kielbasa cooking contest.
5. Coal
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.8%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 13.4
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 32.70
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 71
Coal Township is a close-knit community in Northumberland County. This friendly town is surrounded by woodlands and is sectioned by the Shamokin Creek. Just up the road from Coal is the Shikellamy State Park. You can take in the beauty of northeastern Pennsylvania while exploring any of the three hiking trails, or picnicking on the campgrounds.
6. Wilkes-Barre
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.7%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 22.8
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 46.30
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 210
Wilkes-Barre is an exciting town for retirees to call home. This fun city offers nature loving residents numerous parks, lakes, and rivers to explore, including the beautiful Seven Tubs Nature Area. If you are up for a roll of the dice, head over to the Mohegan Sun casino for a fun night out with friends. Historic architecture rounds out the charm of life in Wilkes-Barre.
7. Nanticoke
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.9%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 12.9
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 34.60
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 210
Reconnecting with nature during your retirement is easy if you make Nanticoke your next hometown. It is surrounded by sparkling lakes, including Nuangola Lake and Moon Lake, making hiking, boating, and fishing a breeze. When you live in Nanticoke, you can finally take a deep breath and unwind.
8. McKeesport
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.3%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 90.5
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 43.80
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 381
McKeesport has something for all types of retirees. This fun Pittsburg suburb gives you easy access to urban amenities, while still providing you with a peaceful and private space to call home. Additionally, McKeesport has plenty of local charm thanks to fun parks, historic buildings, and cool roadside attractions.
9. Chester
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 81.3
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 46.80
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 287
Chester is a delightful Philadelphia suburb on the banks of the Delaware River. This affordable town lets you relish the best of suburban living during your retirement, while still providing you with easy access to urban amenities and an abundance of parks. If you arenโt in the mood to compromise on your lifestyle during retirement, youโll love life in Chester.
10. Hanover
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.8%
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 12.4
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 41
Number of Physicians Per Capita: 118
Hanover is an exciting mix of heritage and history. It sits just minutes from both York and Gettysburg and is only about 50 miles from Baltimore, Maryland. This little community combines the rural feel of a small town with the urban amenities of a big city. It is a hub of art, food, and industry with locally owned specialty restaurants and shops and historical architecture.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicareโs Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Looking for more information on living in Pennsylvania? Check out these articles:
Common Questions About Retiring in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a very tax friendly state for retirees. All forms of retirement income are not taxed.
Some Pennsylvania seniors are eligible for rebates on their housing cost, including their property taxes.
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting childrenโs hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
Other Pennsylvania Resources
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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I also enjoyed myself while I was visiting this kind of places.