Best Cities for Retirees in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks #26 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 61.5. Bethel Park is its best city for retirees at 75.2.
- Pennsylvania, all states
- #26 of 50
- Population
- 32,881
Pennsylvania for Retirees: The Full Picture
Pennsylvania sits at #26 out of 50 for retirees — solidly in the middle tier. The state offers above-average healthcare infrastructure alongside below-average living costs (cost-of-living index: 97.6). It's a state where retirement can work well with proper planning, though it lacks the standout advantages of top-tier retirement destinations.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Pennsylvania's health score of 60/100 is middling — life expectancy of 77.3 years is roughly in line with national norms, but healthcare quality varies by region. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 8.58% of income. The 6.86% income tax rate is worth factoring into retirement income projections. Property taxes run 1.41% (effective rate), which is above average and can meaningfully affect housing costs for homeowners on fixed incomes.
A typical home value of $290,401 is manageable for retirees selling homes in higher-cost markets. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 78/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bethel Park | A+ | 75.2 | 72.4 | 73 | 80 | 73 | 32,881 |
| 2Drexel Hill | B+ | 65.2 | 59.5 | 60 | 64 | 69 | 30,451 |
| 3Levittown | B+ | 64.6 | 62.1 | 59 | 73 | 63 | 50,926 |
| 4Bethlehem | B+ | 59.0 | 60.7 | 50 | 41 | 70 | 77,956 |
| 5Altoona | C+ | 58.6 | 54.6 | 44 | 32 | 89 | 43,196 |
| 6Pittsburgh | B+ | 58.5 | 60.7 | 59 | 32 | 77 | 304,759 |
| 7Easton | B+ | 58.4 | 61.8 | 48 | 40 | 74 | 29,739 |
| 8State College | B+ | 56.2 | 62.0 | 57 | 5 | 66 | 41,050 |
| 9Erie | C+ | 55.6 | 52.5 | 36 | 17 | 88 | 93,850 |
| 10Norristown | C+ | 53.9 | 55.0 | 39 | 35 | 70 | 35,893 |
| 11Allentown | C+ | 53.2 | 53.9 | 39 | 26 | 73 | 125,976 |
| 12Scranton | C+ | 52.7 | 53.3 | 48 | 20 | 82 | 76,033 |
| 13York | C | 51.6 | 50.4 | 28 | 22 | 83 | 44,938 |
| 14Lancaster | B | 50.6 | 56.1 | 41 | 30 | 75 | 57,719 |
| 15Wilkes-Barre | D | 50.2 | 48.5 | 37 | 19 | 85 | 44,423 |
| 16Philadelphia | D | 49.1 | 47.8 | 47 | 28 | 69 | 1,579,706 |
| 17Hazleton | C | 48.5 | 49.0 | 26 | 14 | 82 | 30,111 |
| 18Chester | D | 46.7 | 44.8 | 19 | 5 | 80 | 33,619 |
| 19Harrisburg | D | 46.1 | 47.3 | 31 | 6 | 81 | 50,287 |
| 20Reading | D | 44.9 | 45.8 | 28 | 6 | 82 | 95,242 |
City retirees 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 retirees 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), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Pennsylvania for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania a good state for retirees?
Pennsylvania ranks #26 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 61.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (20/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Pennsylvania?
Bethel Park ranks #1 in Pennsylvania for retirees with a score of 75.2/100, followed by Drexel Hill and Levittown.
What factors are most important for retirees in Pennsylvania?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.