Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks #27 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 43.3. State College is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 71.4.
- Pennsylvania, all states
- #27 of 50
- Population
- 41,050
Pennsylvania for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Pennsylvania ranks #27 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 20/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. 5.6% public land offers some options, though dedicated outdoor enthusiasts may find themselves driving to reach prime terrain.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Pennsylvania's environment score of 38/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 40) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 97.6) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (78/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (60/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1State College | B+ | 71.4 | 62.0 | 78 | 92 | 41,050 |
| 2Bethel Park | A+ | 71.2 | 72.4 | 57 | 99 | 32,881 |
| 3Easton | B+ | 66.6 | 61.8 | 66 | 91 | 29,739 |
| 4Bethlehem | B+ | 65.6 | 60.7 | 66 | 85 | 77,956 |
| 5Erie | C+ | 65.0 | 52.5 | 83 | 72 | 93,850 |
| 6Drexel Hill | B+ | 64.8 | 59.5 | 74 | — | 30,451 |
| 7Altoona | C+ | 63.6 | 54.6 | 72 | 78 | 43,196 |
| 8Pittsburgh | B+ | 62.8 | 60.7 | 57 | 60 | 304,759 |
| 9Allentown | C+ | 62.6 | 53.9 | 71 | 80 | 125,976 |
| 10Levittown | B+ | 62.5 | 62.1 | 77 | — | 50,926 |
| 11Hazleton | C | 62.0 | 49.0 | 72 | 93 | 30,111 |
| 12Scranton | C+ | 60.9 | 53.3 | 62 | 77 | 76,033 |
| 13Norristown | C+ | 60.4 | 55.0 | 73 | 63 | 35,893 |
| 14Wilkes-Barre | D | 59.7 | 48.5 | 72 | 70 | 44,423 |
| 15York | C | 59.2 | 50.4 | 68 | 68 | 44,938 |
| 16Reading | D | 59.1 | 45.8 | 70 | 81 | 95,242 |
| 17Lancaster | B | 58.8 | 56.1 | 59 | 73 | 57,719 |
| 18Chester | D | 56.5 | 44.8 | 74 | 63 | 33,619 |
| 19Harrisburg | D | 54.6 | 47.3 | 56 | 54 | 50,287 |
| 20Philadelphia | D | 49.5 | 47.8 | 56 | 23 | 1,579,706 |
City outdoor enthusiasts 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.
Compare: States with Similar Outdoor Enthusiasts Rankings
Also See: Pennsylvania for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Pennsylvania ranks #27 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 43.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (20/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Pennsylvania?
State College ranks #1 in Pennsylvania for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 71.4/100, followed by Bethel Park and Easton.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Pennsylvania?
Rankings weighted toward outdoor access (parks, public land, recreation), environmental quality, safety, health infrastructure, and affordable housing — for those who prioritize access to nature and an active lifestyle.