One of the big perks of living in Pennsylvania? The low cost of living.
The Keystone State offers job opportunities, amenities, and overall wonderful quality of life. Although Pennsylvania is the fifth-most populous in the nation, more than half of this northeastern state is forested. This means you have beautiful national parks, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and mountains right at your doorstep, waiting to be explored.
Be sure you have a down jacket and swimsuit in your wardrobe because you will experience all four seasons here. During winters, expect flurries and snow, while summers will be warm and wet. As one of the original 13 colonies, history is sewn into the fabric of each city in Pennsylvania.
You will find museums and sites dedicated to preserving the state’s rich history. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh don’t appear on this list, as their housing cost-to-income ratio is quite high in comparison to the cities below, making these cities great places to build a home in Pennsylvania. So keep scrolling to learn more about charming lesser-known towns in Pennsylvania that can be just as attractive to call home.
1. Sharon
- Housing cost to income ratio: 1.28
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.89%
- Violent crime index: 55.0
- Nonviolent crime index: 63.5
- Cost of living index: 67.0
Sharon is a quaint town with a small population of around 13,000. This city takes the top spot on the list, as it has the lowest housing cost-to-income ratio, contributing to its low cost of living.
Popular neighborhoods are the City Center, Sharon Northwest, and Sharon South. Surprisingly for a town of its size, Sharon has 26 hospitals. The summers are warm and partly cloudy, while the winters are freezing and snowy. The town has tight-knit communities where neighbors keep an eye on one another. Be sure to check out Frank H. Buhl Mansion, Buhl Park, and Buhl Park Golf Course.
One of the advantages of living in Sharon is that it borders Ohio; it’s only a 90-minute drive northwest to Cleveland or south to Pittsburgh.
2. Johnstown
- Housing cost to income ratio: 1.38
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 3.81%
- Violent crime index: 33.9
- Nonviolent crime index: 47.7
- Cost of living index: 69.2
If you’re looking for a diverse, peaceful city in Pennsylvania, Johnstown might be your best bet. Located 56 miles east of Pittsburgh, Johnstown is a strongly conservative city with about 19,500 residents.
The town is laid back and has all the amenities of city life without the hectic traffic, air pollution, or crime. Loretto, Southmont, and Geistown are some of the popular suburbs. Johnstown is chock full of history but is perhaps most well-known for the 1889 catastrophic flood.
You can learn more by visiting the Johnstown Flood Museum. The Johnstown Inclined Plane is also a beloved attraction, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the landscape. Other popular sites are the Heritage Discovery Center and Stackhouse Park. The transport system is quite reliable, and most necessities are a short walking distance away. The median home value is well below the national median at about $33,957, making the cost of living affordable for newcomers.
3. York
- Housing cost to income ratio: 1.46
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.31%
- Violent crime index: 45.0
- Nonviolent crime index: 46.1
- Cost of living index: 75.8
A safe and family-friendly town, York has a population of around 44,000 and is a short drive away from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Hershey. The city is known for Bonham House, Colonial Complex, and tours at the Harley-Davidson factory.
There’s also the annual 10-day York Fair at the end of summer which is an amazing experience for RV travelers and day visitors. Housing is affordable and there are great public schools like York Suburban Senior High School and Orendorf Elementary School.
If you’re a young 20-something, you will find the nightlife a bit slower, but there are lots of small bars and restaurants to check out. Like motorcycles? You’re in luck as there are plenty of back roads where you can zip along.
4. Scranton-Wilkes-Barre
- Housing cost to income ratio: 5.11
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.93%
- Violent crime index: 22.8
- Nonviolent crime index: 46.3
- Cost of living index: 71.3
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, are separated by a 30-minute drive. Both liberal-leaning cities are medium-sized, set in a beautiful valley surrounded by coal-rich mountains. This topography helps protect the area from tornadoes.
Scranton is very diverse; the population is Irish, Italian, and Polish, along with a growing segment of Hispanics and Middle Easterners. For those looking to start a family, housing is relatively affordable and available. The median home value is $75,100. Education is highly-touted as well; the University of Scranton ranked fifth in 2022 as the best regional college in the north, and the community colleges are just as competitive.
There are plenty of recreational activities, such as Montage Mountain Ski Resort, Montage Mountain Water Park, The Steamtown National Historic Site, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, the Electric City Trolley Museum, Anthracite Museum, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and St. Anne’s Basilica.
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre offers an amazing mix of outdoor activities, history, and perks. If you love the hustle and bustle, this is certainly an enticing place to call home.
5. Poconos
- Housing cost to income ratio: 2.36
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.05%
- Violent crime index: 16.7
- Nonviolent crime index: 29.2
- Cost of living index: 94.1
The Pocono Mountains, more commonly known as Poconos, is the perfect place for those with active lifestyles. It’s a magical town of around 10,000 in northeastern Pennsylvania surrounded by multiple ski resorts. Additionally, Mount Pocono is a safe area to raise children, as well as for retirees. The city is served by schools like Bushkill Elementary School, and the most popular areas to live in are Cranberry Township, Murrysville, and North Huntingdon.
This moderately liberal town is a paradise for nature lovers. You can visit Hickory Run State Park to swim in the waterfalls, go boating at Promised Land State Park, or head to any of the neighboring ski slopes. After a long day reconnecting with nature, wind down at a local winery or brewery. Local favorites include Barley Creek Brewing Company, Antler Ridge Winery, and Keystone Brewpub.
Gorgeous year-round, the city promises to be a place where you can have fun and experience all four seasons. Expect around 49 inches of rain, 46 inches of snow, and 192 sunny days per year. So, whether it’s hiking, boating, swimming, or snowboarding, there’s no shortage of things to do.
6. Altoona
- Housing cost to income ratio: 2.44
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.86%
- Violent crime index: 22.8
- Nonviolent crime index: 30.8
- Cost of living index: 72.9
Altoona is a welcoming and humble city of approximately 44,000. All you need is conveniently located along one strip, and major destinations are well within driving distance.
Most residents are strongly conservative and enjoy living in Fairview, East End, and Dutch Hill. Residents describe the city as “clean, inexpensive, and a good environment to raise kids in”. The availability of activities is very diverse. You can go to Canoe Creek to swim, go bowling, or stop at the Jaffa Shrine Center for events like the circus. It is an easy place to make friends and create memories.
7. Erie
- Housing cost to income ratio: 2.61
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 2.10%
- Violent crime index: 24.9
- Nonviolent crime index: 38.3
- Cost of living index: 74.6
At first glance, Erie may seem quiet but the city of 97,000 is packed with fun and opportunities. The city is on the south shore of Lake Erie, offering beautiful lakeside views. Erie is surrounded by three major cities: Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Popular suburbs include Washington Township, Fairview, and Avonia, all of which are all about a 30-minute drive from downtown. Residents include a fun mix of college students, alongside working-class families, most of who lean liberal.
The charm of the area is alluring, as the cost of living is low, and you’ll find plenty of places to grab a bite. You’ll also find many schooling options for families. Every summer, Erie turns into a beach town. You can explore the beaches of Presque Isle State Park, take the kiddos to Erie Zoo, or take a date to the Erie Art Museum. Erie is a place that offers all the amenities of a big city but in a small city format.
8. Harrisburg
- Housing cost to income ratio: 2.66
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.85%
- Violent crime index: 55.1
- Nonviolent crime index: 45.8
- Cost of living index: 88.1
The capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg is the perfect place to raise a family. The housing is affordable, and it’s close to many major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, DC, and Pittsburgh.
The city has a rich history that spans more than 200 years and was a significant training center during the Civil War. You can learn more at The State Museum of Pennsylvania and at The National Civil War Museum. Riverfront Park is great for jogging or biking, and City Island offers ball games, horse-drawn carriage rides, food, and fireworks on special nights.
Since it is a city of around 49,000, traffic congestion is not a problem. Drive just a few miles outside the city limits, and you’re in the country – there are cornfields for miles around. If you have a furry companion, the Capital Area Greenbelt is a 20-mile loop inside the city designed for walking, jogging, cycling, and dog walks.
9. Williamsport
- Housing cost to income ratio: 3.87
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.73%
- Violent crime index: 25.0
- Nonviolent crime index: 46.8
- Cost of living index: 76.1
Nestled in Lycoming County, Williamsport is a small town of approximately 28,500 – and it’s growing. Baseball fanatics are in luck, as the town is known as the home of the Little League World Series.
There are plenty of activities to do in and around town, such as Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, Kaos Fun Zone, Fly World Trampoline Park, and even a drive-in movie theater. Williamsport has a sizeable art scene for a city of its size; the Community Arts Center and Community Theater League are popular programs that offer performance opportunities.
10. Allentown-Bethlehem
- Housing cost to income ratio: 4.11
- Average childcare cost to income ratio: 1.68%
- Violent crime index: 26.6
- Nonviolent crime index: 43.6
- Cost of living index: 88.8
Allentown-Bethlehem is a somewhat liberal neighboring city in eastern Pennsylvania, with Allentown having the larger population – 120,000 residents; Bethlehem has approximately 75,000 residents, according to the 2020 census.
Allentown has a historical charm that is well-balanced with modern attractions like Allentown Art Museum and the Da Vinci Science Center. A-Town is also known for many other things like the Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball team. The city was the hiding place of the Liberty Bell during the British occupation of Philadelphia. There are plenty of jobs available, especially in the manufacturing sector, as Allentown is the headquarters for many several companies such as Air Products, PPL, and Norfolk Southern Railway. The city is also family-friendly, as there are plenty of parks and walking paths.
Bethlehem is also a great place to live as it has characteristics of town and country life. The town has two universities: Lehigh University (a hidden ivy league) and Moravian College (a private liberal arts university). Like Allentown, Bethlehem is also a lovely place to raise a family. The city is culturally diverse, safe, and packed with activities and adventures.
Both cities occupy prime locations; they are a short drive from cities like New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.
Rakini Bergundy was born in a little surf town called Houhai in China and loves writing. She’s passionate about dogs, home renovations, and politics.
Tony Hisir
We are planning to move to Bethlehem, PA. Need to find a nice house we can afford.