The 10 Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania For 2026


The best places to live in Pennsylvania for 2026 are Clarks Summit, Lititz, and Camp Hill. Find out where your city or town ranks.

The best place to live in Pennsylvania, you ask?

Why, that’s easy.

It’s either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, you’d say.

Right?

Wrong. At least according to the most recent data from the Census, Zillow, and FBI. We used Saturday Night Science to compare the 175 cities in Pennsylvania larger than 5,000 people. We looked at factors including home prices, incomes, crime, and quality of life.

So “Youse” and “Yinz” can put aside the cross-state rivalry for a minute, pick up a Yuengling, and cozy up with some scrapple as we break down the best places to live in Pennsylvania.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary


What’s the best place to live in Pennsylvania? According to Census, FBI, and Zillow data, the best place to live in Pennsylvania for 2026 is Clarks Summit.

We weren’t surprised to see Clarks Summit here after the results last year, but it is funny, with all the hype around the two biggest cities, that the best place to live is a suburb of Harrisburg.

For more reading, check out:

The 10 Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania For 2026

Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania Map

Clarks Summit, PA

Source: Public domain
Stat Clarks Summit Pennsylvania
Population 5,073 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $323,509 $282,735
Median Income $92,083 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 1.0% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0067 0.0169

More on Clarks Summit: Data | Movers

Clarks Summit, located in Lackawanna County, is undoubtedly one of Pennsylvania’s best places to live. This borough is known for its low cost of living and attractive median home price, making it one of the best places to settle down. With a population of 5,073, Clarks Summit offers a peaceful and tight-knit community for residents to enjoy.

Clarks Summit boasts a variety of things to do and see. You can explore nearby Lackawanna State Park or the cultural experience of the nearby city of Scranton, located just northwest of Clarks Summit. Furthermore, Clarks Summit’s convenient location within the state allows for easy access to major cities like Philadelphia and New York City.

Lititz, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Smallbones | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Lititz Pennsylvania
Population 9,619 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $458,674 $282,735
Median Income $88,576 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 1.8% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0046 0.0169

More on Lititz: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

Located just north of the city of Lancaster, Lititz ranks as the 2nd best place to live in Pennsylvania. The poverty level in Lititz is 4.1%, about three times lower than the statewide average. Lititz also has the 16th lowest rate of crime in Pennsylvania, so you don’t need to worry about Amazon porch pirates here. Another (possible) perk about life in Lititz is the ladies, because fully 48.7% of the population is female in Lilitz.

It’s no wonder Lititz describes itself as “the coolest small town in America” — it doesn’t matter if you want to get in touch with your wild side at the Wolf Sanctuary of PA or just relax and feed some ducks at Springs Park, because Lititz has something for everyone.

Camp Hill, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Jeremiah Orr | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Camp Hill Pennsylvania
Population 8,169 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $331,050 $282,735
Median Income $115,761 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 2.0% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0111 0.0169

More on Camp Hill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We begin our tour of the best places to call home in Pennsylvania with Camp Hill, a small city located just across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. Although homes are slightly pricey at a median cost of $331,050, Camp Hill residents pull in the 7th highest salaries in the state, with a median household income of $115,761/year. That gives Camp Hill the overall lowest cost of living of any of the cities we’ll be covering here.

On top of being affordable, Camp Hill is also extremely safe. In fact, Camp Hill has the 43rd lowest rate of violent crime in the state, and a total crime rate about 70% below the national average. Add to that SnackAbility scores of 8.5/10 for both housing and jobs, and you’ve got a recipe for a stellar place to call home.

In addition to the statistical advantages Camp Hill enjoys, it’s also just a great location. In ten minutes, you can find yourself wandering down the riverfront on your way to the grand Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex. While you’re there, stop at the State Museum to put a perfect cap on your day out.

Conshohocken, PA

Source: Public domain
Stat Conshohocken Pennsylvania
Population 9,282 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 6
Median Home Value $482,551 $282,735
Median Income $122,721 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 3.2% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0127 0.0169

More on Conshohocken: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

Let’s stick around the Philly suburbs for our 4th best city in Pennsylvania, Conshohocken. As the 17th most densely populated place in the state, you can rest assured that you won’t be left out of the action in Conshohocken. And while Conshohocken ranks as one of the most expensive places in Pennsylvania, don’t let that put you off. Because while homes are pricey, Conshohocken residents also enjoy the 4th highest median household income in Pennsylvania, at $122,721/year.

Conshohocken also has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, the 35th lowest in the state. On top of that, Conshohocken has the 52nd highest rate of residents with health insurance statewide, with 95.9% of people having some form of coverage.

Being so close to Philly, folks in Conshohocken never have to think too hard where to bring visitors. In twenty minutes, you can be taking a gander at the Liberty Bell at Independence National Historical Park.

Fox Chapel, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Brastins | GFDL
Stat Fox Chapel Pennsylvania
Population 5,246 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $1,000,518 $282,735
Median Income $243,625 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 5.6% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0029 0.0169

More on Fox Chapel: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

Next up on our list is Fox Chapel, an affluent suburb of Pittsburgh. With a median age of 43, Fox Chapel is the oldest place on this list, and boy has experience been a great teacher for the borough’s residents. Over half of Fox Chapel’s population has a master’s degree or higher, which helps explain how the borough has a median household income of $243,625/year, the highest in the state.

And it’s not just high salaries for some while the rest fall by the wayside, because at 3.2%, Fox Chapel has the 4th lowest poverty level in the state. And seeing as 99.6% of people living in Fox Chapel have health insurance, unwelcome surprises are a little less scary here. Fox Chapel was also named the safest place in Philadelphia, so crime is another unwelcome surprise you don’t have to worry about here.

Being so close to Pittsburgh brings Fox Chapel other perks. Like being able to go shopping in the Strip District any day of the week. Or having the The Andy Warhol Museum right in your backyard. And if you’d like some less interpretive beauty, the 360 views of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington are unquestionably excellent.

Franklin Park, PA

Source: Public domain
Stat Franklin Park Pennsylvania
Population 15,235 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 9
Median Home Value $539,475 $282,735
Median Income $176,875 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 4.5% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0028 0.0169

More on Franklin Park: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’re sticking around the greater Pittsburgh area for our 6th best place in Pennsylvania, Franklin Park. There are a number of factors that land Franklin Park on this list, like having the 6th lowest adult high school dropout rate in the state. Franklin Park residents also have the 2nd highest median household income in PA, with residents pulling in around $176,875/year.

Other economic factors also come into play. Like having a poverty level of just 0.7%, the lowest in the state. And having the 24th highest rate of residents with health insurance, 97.2%.

Being just 20 minutes from the Pirate’s PNC Park and the Steelers Heinz Field means you’ll never have to think too hard about what to do with your free time if you’re a sports fan.

Swarthmore, PA

Source: Public domain
Stat Swarthmore Pennsylvania
Population 6,550 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 10
Median Home Value $467,860 $282,735
Median Income $152,361 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 7.7% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0075 0.0169

More on Swarthmore: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’re heading to the greater Philadelphia area to arrive at the 7th best place to live in Pennsylvania, Swarthmore. As the home of the prestigious Swarthmore College, it’s unsurprising that Swarthmore’s median age is 28, the second youngest you’ll see on this list. Evidently, having a world-class educational institution has helped instill a love of learning in Swarthmore, because a whopping 45%+ of residents here have a master’s degree or higher.

All those degrees really pay off for the local populace, because at $152,361/year, Swarthmore has the 3rd best-paid residents in PA. Which is kind of necessary, seeing as homes in Swarthmore are the 12th priciest in the state. The good news is that nobody in Swarthmore gets left out of the economic success, because at 1.8%, it has the 2nd lowest poverty level in Pennsylvania.

Ambler, PA

Source: Public domain
Stat Ambler Pennsylvania
Population 6,847 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 8
Median Home Value $686,428 $282,735
Median Income $77,394 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 3.4% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0085 0.0169

More on Ambler: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

Oakmont, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Jim Kuhn | CC BY 2.0
Stat Oakmont Pennsylvania
Population 6,702 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 5
Median Home Value $333,787 $282,735
Median Income $92,782 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 5.6% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0103 0.0169

More on Oakmont: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

Northampton, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Northampton Pennsylvania
Population 10,400 13,018,639
Rank Last Year 7
Median Home Value $345,140 $282,735
Median Income $90,762 $77,971
Unemployment Rate 5.2% 5.3%
Crime Per Capita 0.0039 0.0169

More on Northampton: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Pennsylvania

Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania Size Requirement

Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Pennsylvania, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Harrisburg, with a population of 50,287, against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:

  • Cities — Populations over 5,000
  • Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
  • Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This filter left 175 cities, 690 towns, and 733 small towns.

We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Pennsylvania have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Pennsylvania

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in Pennsylvania across a number of criteria from one to 175, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Pennsylvania.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

  • Median Home Values
  • Median Income
  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Unemployment Rate
  • Commute Time
  • Crime
  • Education Levels
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking Pennsylvania’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Pennsylvania. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Clarks Summit at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Summary: The Best Places In Pennsylvania

If you’re looking at areas in Pennsylvania with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The best places to live in Pennsylvania are Clarks Summit, Lititz, Camp Hill, Conshohocken, Fox Chapel, Franklin Park, Swarthmore, Ambler, Oakmont, and Northampton.

Clarks Summit made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Pennsylvania for 2026.

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Pennsylvania according to the data:

  1. Clairton (Pop. 6,044)
  2. Darby (Pop. 10,687)
  3. McKeesport (Pop. 17,380)

For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:

Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania Table

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income Rent Crime Per Capita
1 Clarks Summit 5,073 1.0% $323,509 $92,083 $1,305 0.0067
2 Lititz 9,619 1.8% $458,674 $88,576 $1,364 0.0046
3 Camp Hill 8,169 2.0% $331,050 $115,761 $1,287 0.0111
4 Conshohocken 9,282 3.2% $482,551 $122,721 $2,147 0.0127
5 Fox Chapel 5,246 5.6% $1,000,518 $243,625 $0 0.0029
6 Franklin Park 15,235 4.5% $539,475 $176,875 $2,330 0.0028
7 Swarthmore 6,550 7.7% $467,860 $152,361 $1,532 0.0075
8 Ambler 6,847 3.4% $686,428 $77,394 $1,447 0.0085
9 Oakmont 6,702 5.6% $333,787 $92,782 $1,190 0.0103
10 Northampton 10,400 5.2% $345,140 $90,762 $1,174 0.0039
11 Wyomissing 11,172 2.1% $377,345 $93,203 $1,781 0.0186
12 Dormont 8,063 6.0% $246,407 $80,526 $1,106 0.0063
13 Hollidaysburg 5,558 2.2% $243,008 $69,458 $1,085 0.0063
14 Mount Joy 8,344 1.3% $296,067 $90,061 $1,182 0.0043
15 Castle Shannon 8,209 0.4% $211,413 $64,071 $1,126 0.0034
16 Media 5,870 4.2% $632,297 $89,092 $1,411 0.0179
17 Phoenixville 19,452 4.8% $521,603 $102,138 $1,735 0.0055
18 Plum 26,723 2.8% $252,851 $98,705 $1,177 0.0021
19 Ridley Park 7,261 3.1% $309,370 $93,594 $1,350 0.0072
20 Collegeville 5,247 6.7% $568,662 $91,466 $1,437 0.0072
21 Mechanicsburg 9,720 2.1% $401,857 $84,421 $1,083 0.0139
22 Bridgeport 5,174 3.1% $352,989 $82,705 $1,242 0.0178
23 New Cumberland 7,580 4.0% $292,639 $82,154 $980 0.0049
24 Perkasie 9,216 3.8% $512,871 $93,845 $1,204 0.0072
25 Hatboro 8,283 5.6% $440,910 $112,565 $1,911 0.0058
26 Pleasant Hills 8,399 5.1% $265,879 $102,167 $1,151 0.0118
27 Emmaus 11,889 3.3% $385,740 $83,917 $1,389 0.0097
28 Brookhaven 8,331 3.5% $265,656 $91,042 $1,487 0.0283
29 Bellefonte 6,009 0.7% $309,022 $62,540 $975 0.0000
30 Selinsgrove 5,593 1.8% $239,847 $65,650 $1,059 0.0029
31 South Williamsport 6,211 3.0% $191,786 $64,583 $1,067 0.0081
32 Olyphant 5,381 4.7% $228,297 $66,423 $963 0.0041
33 Lewisburg 5,257 0.7% $326,711 $54,767 $997 0.0069
34 Schuylkill Haven 5,253 4.7% $231,980 $54,167 $904 0.0095
35 West View 6,533 5.1% $252,295 $84,063 $1,080 0.0096
36 New Freedom 5,066 1.9% $417,280 $120,037 $1,640 0.0262
37 Archbald 7,404 1.4% $242,130 $71,936 $966 0.0061
38 Birdsboro 5,116 1.7% $331,844 $86,290 $1,146 0.0080
39 Economy 9,005 3.3% $278,625 $95,313 $1,009 0.0124
40 Canonsburg 9,675 5.6% $358,323 $79,227 $1,025 0.0027
41 Lower Burrell 11,633 3.3% $200,395 $84,602 $911 0.0032
42 Kennett Square 6,243 3.1% $620,982 $80,505 $1,396 0.0077
43 Carnegie 7,978 3.5% $224,034 $67,656 $890 0.0117
44 Bellevue 8,128 4.7% $236,964 $68,827 $973 0.0122
45 Shillington 5,492 6.1% $260,080 $79,922 $1,387 0.0073
46 Forest Hills 6,286 7.5% $222,966 $89,688 $1,068 0.0099
47 State College 41,050 5.0% $408,500 $45,424 $1,273 0.0129
48 West Chester 20,666 7.0% $657,112 $78,385 $1,731 0.0142
49 Palmyra 7,755 3.5% $343,038 $77,469 $1,084 0.0126
50 Norwood 5,934 8.7% $287,953 $96,134 $1,409 0.0066
51 Old Forge 8,573 5.5% $207,906 $71,812 $859 0.0064
52 Lansdale 19,011 3.0% $496,719 $88,229 $1,470 0.0110
53 St. Marys 12,529 7.7% $165,531 $67,167 $762 0.0136
54 Souderton 7,181 4.1% $462,110 $93,537 $1,297 0.0091
55 Gettysburg 8,254 5.7% $366,470 $54,365 $1,001 0.0085
56 Coraopolis 5,417 4.5% $302,085 $63,828 $902 0.0129
57 Whitehall 14,811 6.3% $262,405 $89,404 $915 0.0060
58 Huntingdon 6,897 6.0% $190,101 $67,125 $838 0.0074
59 Wilson 8,183 4.1% $234,076 $82,902 $1,370 0.0167
60 Catasauqua 6,541 8.2% $284,192 $85,049 $1,031 0.0133
61 Millersville 8,982 5.0% $353,092 $67,866 $1,369 0.0052
62 Ephrata 13,772 2.4% $249,296 $69,735 $1,143 0.0230
63 Bloomsburg 13,024 7.9% $257,066 $51,536 $980 0.0110
64 Dunmore 14,181 3.8% $217,856 $71,302 $928 0.0162
65 Moosic 5,973 2.6% $238,010 $80,187 $1,329 0.0144
66 Carlisle 21,852 4.4% $329,619 $61,720 $1,094 0.0139
67 Stroudsburg 5,894 5.0% $346,452 $66,674 $1,565 0.0000
68 Blakely 6,662 5.3% $220,300 $55,855 $1,063 0.0086
69 Bangor 5,163 2.9% $324,589 $70,076 $1,134 0.0112
70 Greensburg 14,741 5.0% $238,468 $64,914 $839 0.0090
71 Bristol 9,902 5.1% $339,367 $76,042 $1,409 0.0133
72 Palmerton 5,622 1.8% $254,961 $68,143 $931 0.0071
73 Hermitage 16,041 4.9% $213,564 $70,052 $896 0.0145
74 Edinboro 5,440 0.4% $288,726 $48,173 $876 0.0101
75 Crafton 5,961 7.4% $208,118 $64,006 $1,019 0.0242
76 Swoyersville 5,048 3.9% $206,254 $71,555 $744 0.0081
77 New Holland 5,780 1.8% $408,128 $63,182 $1,163 0.0175
78 Waynesboro 11,047 4.9% $275,317 $66,956 $1,086 0.0115
79 Monaca 5,519 5.1% $209,282 $73,538 $768 0.0085
80 Shippensburg 5,620 3.9% $197,415 $51,503 $891 0.0116
81 Nazareth 6,043 1.9% $443,943 $56,855 $1,168 0.0167
82 Pittston 7,626 5.6% $201,703 $49,941 $871 0.0056
83 DuBois 7,402 3.4% $169,881 $62,697 $899 0.0158
84 Glenolden 7,220 7.6% $241,349 $72,786 $1,209 0.0227
85 Jefferson Hills 12,317 5.7% $350,948 $116,064 $1,355 0.0953
86 Warren 9,240 3.1% $139,190 $53,815 $771 0.0180
87 Manheim 5,027 9.0% $273,737 $81,273 $1,149 0.0141
88 Indiana 14,212 9.6% $192,678 $40,857 $849 0.0087
89 Sunbury 9,617 4.8% $177,767 $51,028 $738 0.0029
90 Easton 29,739 5.4% $371,500 $69,348 $1,325 0.0140
91 Bethlehem 77,956 6.6% $351,352 $68,879 $1,382 0.0160
92 Baldwin 21,057 1.9% $231,521 $80,983 $1,066 0.0953
93 West York 5,092 3.4% $137,313 $80,995 $971 0.0175
94 Pittsburgh 304,759 6.1% $237,533 $65,742 $1,261 0.0282
95 Red Lion 6,516 3.1% $291,902 $72,901 $884 0.0262
96 East Stroudsburg 9,319 8.3% $309,993 $59,821 $1,479 0.0000
97 Taylor 6,265 5.5% $192,994 $71,599 $1,085 0.0162
98 Greenville 5,523 4.7% $154,867 $52,661 $626 0.0130
99 Mount Carmel 5,677 6.4% $59,925 $53,021 $742 0.0122
100 Kingston 13,397 6.4% $220,512 $55,347 $1,038 0.0169

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About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.