Best Cities for Families in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks #19 of 50 for families, with a families score of 71.8. Bethel Park is its best city for families at 75.5.
- Pennsylvania, all states
- #19 of 50
- Population
- 32,881
Pennsylvania for Families: The Full Picture
Pennsylvania is a middle-of-the-pack state for families, ranking #19 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 226.8 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $77,545, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 97.6.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Pennsylvania shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 87%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 65/100. Center-based infant care runs $15,302 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Pennsylvania performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 226.8 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 97.6, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bethel Park | A+ | 75.5 | 72.4 | 84 | 99 | 73 | 32,881 |
| 2State College | B+ | 72.1 | 62.0 | 88 | 92 | 66 | 41,050 |
| 3Easton | B+ | 69.8 | 61.8 | 76 | 91 | 74 | 29,739 |
| 4Bethlehem | B+ | 66.1 | 60.7 | 71 | 85 | 70 | 77,956 |
| 5Pittsburgh | B+ | 65.3 | 60.7 | 72 | 60 | 77 | 304,759 |
| 6Levittown | B+ | 64.4 | 62.1 | 73 | — | 63 | 50,926 |
| 7Drexel Hill | B+ | 64.2 | 59.5 | 56 | — | 69 | 30,451 |
| 8Altoona | C+ | 64.0 | 54.6 | 58 | 78 | 89 | 43,196 |
| 9Erie | C+ | 63.2 | 52.5 | 53 | 72 | 88 | 93,850 |
| 10Allentown | C+ | 62.8 | 53.9 | 61 | 80 | 73 | 125,976 |
| 11Scranton | C+ | 62.1 | 53.3 | 65 | 77 | 82 | 76,033 |
| 12Lancaster | B | 62.0 | 56.1 | 77 | 73 | 75 | 57,719 |
| 13Norristown | C+ | 61.3 | 55.0 | 60 | 63 | 70 | 35,893 |
| 14York | C | 60.0 | 50.4 | 54 | 68 | 83 | 44,938 |
| 15Hazleton | C | 58.0 | 49.0 | 48 | 93 | 82 | 30,111 |
| 16Wilkes-Barre | D | 57.0 | 48.5 | 46 | 70 | 85 | 44,423 |
| 17Chester | D | 57.0 | 44.8 | 49 | 63 | 80 | 33,619 |
| 18Reading | D | 56.2 | 45.8 | 43 | 81 | 82 | 95,242 |
| 19Harrisburg | D | 55.9 | 47.3 | 52 | 54 | 81 | 50,287 |
| 20Philadelphia | D | 52.3 | 47.8 | 55 | 23 | 69 | 1,579,706 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Pennsylvania for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania a good state for families?
Pennsylvania ranks #19 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 71.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (20/100).
What is the best city for families in Pennsylvania?
Bethel Park ranks #1 in Pennsylvania for families with a score of 75.5/100, followed by State College and Easton.
What factors are most important for families in Pennsylvania?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.