Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks #25 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 59.1/100 and a B grade. Its strongest category is Education (80/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (20/100).
How Does Pennsylvania Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Bethel Park | A | 63.6 | 33,070 | $104,129 | 61.7 | — |
| 354 | Levittown | B | 56.4 | 50,930 | $101,619 | — | — |
| 361 | Pittsburgh | B | 56.3 | 303,254 | $66,219 | — | 94.4 |
| 375 | Bethlehem | B | 56.0 | 77,841 | $68,719 | 176.8 | 98.4 |
| 398 | Lancaster | B | 55.4 | 57,683 | $63,421 | 377.5 | 96.3 |
| 401 | State College | B | 55.3 | 40,669 | $47,132 | 154.7 | 93.2 |
| 428 | Easton | B | 54.7 | 29,079 | $63,775 | 161.6 | 98.4 |
| 541 | Drexel Hill | C+ | 52.2 | 30,015 | $87,993 | — | — |
| 576 | Norristown | C+ | 51.6 | 35,782 | $65,058 | 416.2 | — |
| 580 | Wilkes-Barre | C+ | 51.4 | 44,217 | $47,970 | 413.4 | 93 |
| 629 | Altoona | C+ | 50.2 | 43,508 | $50,171 | 285.9 | 88.3 |
| 632 | Allentown | C+ | 50.1 | 124,871 | $47,175 | 288.5 | 98.4 |
| 640 | Scranton | C+ | 49.8 | 75,803 | $41,601 | 311.8 | 93 |
| 718 | York | C | 48.0 | 44,830 | $47,115 | 525.9 | 96.6 |
| 721 | Hazleton | C | 47.9 | 29,886 | $43,379 | 259.7 | 98.4 |
| 741 | Erie | C | 47.1 | 92,953 | $41,377 | 512.3 | 91.5 |
| 785 | Reading | C | 45.7 | 94,897 | $38,814 | 464.3 | 96 |
| 871 | Philadelphia | D | 42.7 | 1,550,542 | $60,302 | 991.7 | 103.5 |
| 872 | Harrisburg | D | 42.7 | 50,092 | $47,783 | 1071.1 | 96.5 |
| 934 | Chester | D | 40.2 | 33,209 | $39,809 | 1274.6 | 105.1 |
Best Cities in Pennsylvania for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethel Park | 67.8 | 83.8 | 96.7 | 64.6 |
| 2 | State College | 67.1 | 87.3 | 91.8 | 67.5 |
| 3 | Easton | 63.4 | 71.2 | 89.3 | 74.0 |
| 4 | Bethlehem | 62.9 | 72.2 | 84.0 | 71.2 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | 62.0 | 75.6 | 64.9 | 74.0 |
More Northeast States
Pennsylvania Rankings Overview
Pennsylvania earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 59.1 out of 100, ranking #25 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (80/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (20/100).
Economy & Employment in Pennsylvania
With an unemployment rate of 4.1% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Pennsylvania performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $73,823, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's violent crime rate of 313 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks #26 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #11 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Pennsylvania is 77.6 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's total tax burden is 8.58% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 6.86%. The effective property tax rate is 1.41% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.34%.
Housing & Affordability in Pennsylvania
The median home price in Pennsylvania is $283,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 98 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
Environment in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 6% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 13.4 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's population growth rate is +0.3% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.9 per 1,000 residents. 94.3% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Pennsylvania
The top-ranked cities in Pennsylvania based on our composite scoring are Bethel Park, Levittown, and Pittsburgh. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pennsylvania's overall ranking?
Pennsylvania ranks #25 out of 50 states with a composite score of 59.1/100 and a grade of B.
Is Pennsylvania a good place to live?
Pennsylvania scores 59.1/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Pennsylvania?
The violent crime rate in Pennsylvania is 313 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Pennsylvania's economy compare?
Pennsylvania's median household income is $73,823 with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Pennsylvania?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Pennsylvania are Bethel Park, Levittown, and Pittsburgh.
How does Pennsylvania rank for families?
Pennsylvania ranks #17 of 50 states for families with a score of 70.2/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Pennsylvania rank for retirees?
Pennsylvania ranks #27 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 58.6/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Pennsylvania rank for remote workers?
Pennsylvania ranks #36 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 51.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.