Best places to live in Pennsylvania
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Pennsylvania using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#30. Point Breeze North, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 2,204
- Population: 1,973
- Median household income: $84,337
- Median home value: $250,000 (38% own)
- Median rent: $1,603 (62% rent)
- Top public schools: Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus), Allderdice High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#29. Whitfield, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 2,202
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#28. Hawthorne, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 2,088
- Population: 4,136
- Median household income: $110,836
- Median home value: $590,500 (57% own)
- Median rent: $2,029 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), St. Joseph's Preparatory School (grade A+), Bishop Eustace Preparatory School (grade A)
#27. Swisshelm Park, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 2,040
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
#26. Old City, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 2,014
- Population: 7,826
- Median household income: $114,094
- Median home value: $482,028 (39% own)
- Median rent: $2,048 (61% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), William Penn Charter School (grade A+), St. Joseph's Preparatory School (grade A+)
#25. Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,991
- Population: 14,682
- Median household income: $77,480
- Median home value: $326,900 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,184 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Hershey Middle School (grade A+), Hershey High School (grade A+), Infinity Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Harrisburg Academy (grade A+), Covenant Christian Academy (grade A), Trinity High School (grade A minus)
#24. Fitler Square, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,959
- Population: 2,306
- Median household income: $140,374
- Median home value: $722,725 (48% own)
- Median rent: $2,669 (52% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), Friends' Central School (grade A+), William Penn Charter School (grade A+)
#23. Toftrees, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,946
- Population: 2,275
- Median household income: $74,405
- Median home value: $365,400 (17% own)
- Median rent: $1,568 (83% rent)
- Top public schools: State College Area High School (grade A+), Park Forest Middle School (grade A), Park Forest Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Centre County Christian Academy (grade A), Grace Prep High School (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy (grade B+)
#22. Downtown, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,876
- Population: 5,154
- Median household income: $99,814
- Median home value: $350,609 (14% own)
- Median rent: $1,579 (86% rent)
- Top public schools: Montour Elementary School (grade A), Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#21. Washington Square West, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,859
- Population: 13,730
- Median household income: $88,275
- Median home value: $664,394 (20% own)
- Median rent: $1,581 (80% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), William Penn Charter School (grade A+), St. Joseph's Preparatory School (grade A+)
#20. West Reading, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,772
- Population: 4,533
- Median household income: $56,818
- Median home value: $153,700 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,125 (52% rent)
- Top public schools: West Reading Elementary Center (grade A), Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center (grade A), Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The King's Academy (grade A minus), Berks Catholic High School (grade A minus), Fairview Christian School (grade A minus)
#19. Fairmount, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,769
- Population: 10,069
- Median household income: $119,278
- Median home value: $436,936 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,659 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), Friends Select School (grade A+), Friends' Central School (grade A+)
#18. Murrysville, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,631
- Population: 20,820
- Median household income: $117,067
- Median home value: $296,900 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,452 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Franklin Regional Senior High School (grade A), Franklin Regional Primary School (grade A), Franklin Regional Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Kiski School (grade A+), Trinity Christian School (grade A), St. Joseph High School (grade A minus)
#17. Wyncote, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,627
- Population: 3,420
- Median household income: $130,833
- Median home value: $400,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,587 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Cheltenham High School (grade A minus), Elkins Park School (grade A minus), Wyncote Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), Germantown Academy (grade A+), William Penn Charter School (grade A+)
#16. Bella Vista, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,616
- Population: 5,204
- Median household income: $108,360
- Median home value: $541,612 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,592 (47% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), St. Joseph's Preparatory School (grade A+), Bishop Eustace Preparatory School (grade A)
#15. Queen Village, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,491
- Population: 8,030
- Median household income: $130,246
- Median home value: $634,118 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,536 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Friends Select School (grade A+), St. Joseph's Preparatory School (grade A+), Bishop Eustace Preparatory School (grade A)
#14. State College, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,437
- Population: 40,902
- Median household income: $43,459
- Median home value: $382,500 (26% own)
- Median rent: $1,181 (74% rent)
- Top public schools: State College Area High School (grade A+), Corl Street Elementary School (grade A+), Radio Park Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Centre County Christian Academy (grade A), Grace Prep High School (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy (grade B+)
#13. Colony Park, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,413
- Population: 1,044
- Median household income: $119,167
- Median home value: $327,500 (93% own)
- Median rent: No data available (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Spring Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus), Wilson West Middle School (grade B+), Whitfield Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The King's Academy (grade A minus), Berks Catholic High School (grade A minus), Fairview Christian School (grade A minus)
#12. Shadyside, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,266
- Population: 14,215
- Median household income: $83,145
- Median home value: $504,167 (28% own)
- Median rent: $1,474 (72% rent)
- Top public schools: Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus), Allderdice High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#11. Callowhill, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,221
- Population: 2,388
- Median household income: $102,728
- Median home value: $374,311 (28% own)
- Median rent: $1,723 (72% rent)
- Top public schools: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Central High School (grade A+), Franklin Towne Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), Friends Select School (grade A+), William Penn Charter School (grade A+)
#10. Regent Square, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,177
- Population: 3,962
- Median household income: $100,641
- Median home value: $317,198 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,141 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus), Allderdice High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#9. Point Breeze, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,142
- Population: 6,813
- Median household income: $149,048
- Median home value: $477,610 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,461 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus), Allderdice High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#8. Hampden Township, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 1,016
- Population: 32,973
- Median household income: $101,603
- Median home value: $318,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,344 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Infinity Charter School (grade A+), Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School (grade A), Winding Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Harrisburg Academy (grade A+), Covenant Christian Academy (grade A), Trinity High School (grade A minus)
#7. Squirrel Hill South, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 973
- Population: 15,052
- Median household income: $91,742
- Median home value: $443,948 (45% own)
- Median rent: $1,393 (55% rent)
- Top public schools: Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus), Allderdice High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#6. Squirrel Hill North, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 946
- Population: 11,991
- Median household income: $128,566
- Median home value: $590,382 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,829 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy (grade A minus), City Charter High School (grade A minus), Allderdice High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Shady Side Academy (grade A+), Winchester Thurston School (grade A+), The Ellis School (grade A+)
#5. Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 650
- Population: 1,508
- Median household income: $145,881
- Median home value: $322,400 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,102 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: State College Area High School (grade A+), Ferguson Township Elementary School (grade A), Mount Nittany Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Grace Prep High School (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy (grade B+), Our Lady of Victory Elementary School (grade B+)
#4. Park Forest Village, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 608
- Population: 8,962
- Median household income: $70,822
- Median home value: $376,700 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: State College Area High School (grade A+), Radio Park Elementary School (grade A+), Park Forest Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Centre County Christian Academy (grade A), Grace Prep High School (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy (grade B+)
#3. Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 409
- Population: 8,133
- Median household income: $104,959
- Median home value: $274,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,236 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Infinity Charter School (grade A+), Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School (grade A), Winding Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Harrisburg Academy (grade A+), Covenant Christian Academy (grade A), Trinity High School (grade A minus)
#2. Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 398
- Population: 4,298
- Median household income: $117,114
- Median home value: $387,100 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,168 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: State College Area High School (grade A+), Mount Nittany Middle School (grade A), Centre Learning Community Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Centre County Christian Academy (grade A), Grace Prep High School (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy (grade B+)
#1. Houserville, Pennsylvania
- Overall Rank: 281
- Population: 2,096
- Median household income: $112,061
- Median home value: $308,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,672 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: State College Area High School (grade A+), Houserville/Lemont Elementary School (grade A), Mount Nittany Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Centre County Christian Academy (grade A), Grace Prep High School (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy (grade B+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
