Lifestyle
Pennsylvania is one of the largest states in the country by mileage, which means it has a little something to offer everyone. But that also makes it a little more challenging to find the best places to live in Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Faris
Published October 27th, 2021
Updated December 12th, 2022
Stephanie Faris
•
Published October 27th, 2021
•
Updated December 12th, 2022
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
You’ll enjoy tax breaks on both your pension and your Social Security income if you choose Pennsylvania as your home after retirement.
Pennsylvania is also packed with culture and history, with plenty of great towns to call home.
When looking at the best towns in PA to retire, pay close attention to the cost of living since many areas of Pennsylvania can be pricey.
Pennsylvania is one of the largest states in the country by mileage, which means it has a little something to offer everyone. But that also makes it a little more challenging to find the best places to live in Pennsylvania. If you’re retiring, it’s important to note that most Pennsylvania cities have a high cost of living, so if finances are a concern, you’ll need to focus on a few of the more affordable cities.
The good news is, overall, Pennsylvania has some of the most retiree-friendly tax laws in the country. Pennsylvania is the only state on the East coast that exempts pensions from taxes. You’ll also enjoy no taxes on your Social Security income. With that in mind, check out the list of the best places in Pennsylvania to retire to see if you can find a location that works for you.
East Stroudsburg
CITY POPULATION: 10,433
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 17%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 13.4% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $26,679
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
If you’re looking for the best places to live in Pennsylvania close to NYC, look no further than Stroudsburg. This city is one of the best towns in PA to live because of its abundant 65+ population, which means there’s plenty of healthcare and activities, as well as bus rides to nearby areas like New York City.
Harrisburg
CITY POPULATION: 49,271
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 10.4%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 1.% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $22,621
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
Settled on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg is one of the best PA towns to live in due to its affordable home prices, access to healthcare, and dining and shopping options.
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CITY POPULATION: 6,493
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 25.7%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 25% above the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $62,263
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
A large 65+ population and proximity to the big city of Philadelphia makes Penn Wynne one of the best places to retire in the Northeast. The high cost of living could turn away some retirees, but for that extra cost, you’ll get access to plenty of restaurants and shops.
Bensalem
CITY POPULATION: 60,507
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 15.9%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 17% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $35,054
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
Sometimes you want to sneak across the border to New Jersey. One of the best places to live in PA NJ border is Bensalem, which has a low cost of living. But Bensalem is one of the best places in Pennsylvania to live in retirement because of its decent 65+ population and suburban feel.
Philadelphia
CITY POPULATION: 1,584,064
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.4%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 17% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $27,924
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
Topping many lists of the best place to retire in the Northeast is Philadelphia. The “city of brotherly love” has one of the largest populations in the country for a reason. Whether you’re looking at a list of the best place to retire in Pennsylvania 2021 or 2022, Philadelphia will likely rank toward the top for having everything you could possibly need.
Pittsburgh
CITY POPULATION: 300,286
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 14.7%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 1% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $34,083
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
If you’d prefer a highly populated area without sacrificing big-city life, consider Pittsburgh as part of your top 10 places to live in PA.
Oil City
CITY POPULATION: 9,618
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 18.5%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 13.8% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $25,249
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
Where is the cheapest place to live in Pennsylvania? It’s tough to beat Oil City, a small town best known for its long history in the petroleum industry.
West Chester
CITY POPULATION: 20,029
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 8.7%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 34% above the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $35,816
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
One of the best places to live in PA for 55 and older is West Chester. If you’re looking for the best cities to live in in Pennsylvania, West Chester has a charming downtown and plenty of festivals and activities to keep you busy.
Lancaster
CITY POPULATION: 59,265
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 9.8%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 7.4% above the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $22,295
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
Lancaster is one of the best places to retire in Pennsylvania because of its cultural events and historic downtown area, as well as access to healthcare.
Allentown
CITY POPULATION: 121,442
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 11.9%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 6% above the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $20,792
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Tax Friendly
Retirees looking for Pennsylvania best places to live should pay attention to Allentown, home to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, one of the top hospitals in the state. But Allentown is also one of the many good towns to live in PA because of its arts and culture.
Bottom Line
Is Pennsylvania a good place to retire? If you like a state that enjoys snowy winters and warm summers, you’ll love Pennsylvania. Although you’ll save on taxes as a retiree, you’ll need to pay attention to the higher cost of living if Pennsylvania is your retirement destination. We recommend getting advice from a Certified Financial Planner who can help you ensure you’re prepared.
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Stephanie Faris has written about finance for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2013. She spent nearly a year as a writer for a credit card processing service and has written about finance for numerous marketing firms and entrepreneurs. Her work has appeared on Money Under 30, The Motley Fool, MoneyGeek, E-commerce Insiders, and GoBankingRates.
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Northeastern U.S. Best Places To Retire
Southern U.S. Best Places To Retire
Midwestern U.S. Best Places To Retire
Western U.S. Best Cities To Retire
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Stephanie Faris has written about finance for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2013. She spent nearly a year as a writer for a credit card processing service and has written about finance for numerous marketing firms and entrepreneurs. Her work has appeared on Money Under 30, The Motley Fool, MoneyGeek, E-commerce Insiders, and GoBankingRates.
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