Welcome to the happiest places in Pennsylvania.
Using Saturday Night Science and data, we determined the cities and towns with the most rainbows, butterflies, puppies, and unicorns.
You know, the places where people have jobs, white-picked fences, and friendly neighbors – unicorn cities.
After analyzing the 191 largest cities, we happily present the happiest cities in the Keystone State.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Happiest Places In Pennsylvania
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. If you have a smile on your face, you probably live in one of these cities.
Oh, and by the way, Darby is the most miserable place in Pennsylvania.
For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:
The 10 Happiest Places In Pennsylvania For 2026
/10
Population: 5,440
Poverty Level: 20.5%
Median Home Price $288,726
Married Households 20.0%
Households With Kids 17.52%
More on Edinboro: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
Edinboro is by far the happiest place in the state of Pennsylvania. Let’s see why.
First off, having a solid family life is a good indication of how happy someone is. Lots of the residents of Edinboro aren’t missing out on love; more than 20% of them are married. Plus, the average commute time here is only about 17 minutes each way. That means a lot more time with the spouse and kids.
/10
Population: 41,050
Poverty Level: 38.1%
Median Home Price $408,500
Married Households 6.0%
Households With Kids 13.65%
More on State College: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Things look to be pretty pleasant in State College. Crime is really low here, and the percentage of married residents (6%) mean there’s lots of stability at home.
In addition to those factors, there is a thriving amount of community involvement. Studies have shown that a key factor to happiness is when people volunteer, especially in their own neighborhoods.
/10
Population: 5,257
Poverty Level: 20.8%
Median Home Price $326,711
Married Households 11.0%
Households With Kids 11.62%
More on Lewisburg: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The people who live in Lewisburg have a lot going for them. 42% of them have college degrees, and they command some of the highest salaries in PA. 11% of the people here are married.
Most of these all tops in the entire state.
/10
Population: 6,009
Poverty Level: 13.1%
Median Home Price $309,022
Married Households 30.0%
Households With Kids 19.49%
More on Bellefonte: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
Bellefonte is where you can bet there are lots of smiley and happy people all over town. Crime is essentially something that just doesn’t happen here very often. And when you can let your guard down and relax a little, the lack of stress really makes a difference.
Same goes on the job front. Only 0.7% of residents here are out of work. Sounds like there are jobs for just about everyone who wants one. Which must be a good feeling to have.
/10
Population: 5,073
Poverty Level: 4.6%
Median Home Price $323,509
Married Households 31.0%
Households With Kids 19.25%
More on Clarks Summit: Data | Movers
If you want to see a bunch of happy people, go to Clarks Summit. It seriously looks like something out of a commercial.
They have a 16 minute commute time, which means lots more time with the kids.
/10
Population: 11,172
Poverty Level: 7.3%
Median Home Price $377,345
Married Households 29.0%
Households With Kids 19.87%
More on Wyomissing: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
For those who say that money doesn’t buy happiness, you’re half right. Studies have shown that people are happy up to a certain point when it comes to annual salaries, somewhere around $72,000 a year. After that, it doesn’t matter how much you make, you’re not going to be much happier.
The residents of Wyomissing have that covered. Plus about 28% of households are married.
/10
Population: 7,580
Poverty Level: 10.3%
Median Home Price $292,639
Married Households 33.0%
Households With Kids 20.58%
More on New Cumberland: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
Most of the people in New Cumberland have to be âplum’ happy. True happiness is âHome Sweet Home’ with your kids and spouse, being reminded to do chores, run errands and fold the clothes right.
/10
Population: 9,619
Poverty Level: 4.1%
Median Home Price $458,674
Married Households 36.0%
Households With Kids 23.84%
More on Lititz: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
Less than 1.8% of the residents in Lititz are jobless, which is just about as low as you’ll see.
Incomes are steady, and commute times are really low as well. That really takes away the stress factors that stop folks from relaxing and enjoying their âdown time’ to do the little things that matter: Walks in the park, time alone with a book and extra face time with the children.
/10
Population: 5,558
Poverty Level: 8.2%
Median Home Price $243,008
Married Households 36.0%
Households With Kids 24.91%
More on Hollidaysburg: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
About 42% of residents in Hollidaysburg, PA have a college degree. While we’ve all heard the saying, âIgnorance is bliss,’ our argument is: Ignorance is also broke.
Not only are most of the residents of Hollidaysburg smart, they’re safe, too.
/10
Population: 20,666
Poverty Level: 20.4%
Median Home Price $657,112
Married Households 12.0%
Households With Kids 13.15%
More on West Chester: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
In West Chester, most of the population is married, and most own their own homes.
The commute times (20 minutes each way) might eventually start to turn the corners of those smiles sideways.
But for now, it’s all roses in West Chester.
Methodology: How We Measured The Happiest Cities In The Keystone State
To rank the happiest places in Pennsylvania, we had to determine what criteria make people happy. It isn’t a stretch to assume that happy people earn great salaries, are relatively stress-free, and have a stable home life.
So we went to the Census’s American Community Survey 2020-2024 report for the happy criteria, added some Saturday Night Science, and generated the answer.
Here are the criteria we used to measure happiness:
- Percentage of residents with a college degree
- Average commute times
- Unemployment rates
- Cost of living
- % of married couples
- % of families with kids
- Poverty rate
After we decided on the criteria, we gathered the data for the 191 places in Pennsylvania with over 5,000 people.
We then ranked each place from one to 191 for each of the seven criteria, with a score of one being the happiest.
Next, we averaged the seven rankings into a Happy Index for each place with the lowest overall Happy Index “earning” the title “Happiest City In Pennsylvania.”
If you’d like to see the complete list of cities, happiest to saddest, scroll to the bottom of this post to see the unabridged chart.
We updated this article for 2026, and it’s our eleventh time ranking the happiest cities in Pennsylvania.
There You Have It – The Happiest Cities In Pennsylvania
As we said earlier, trying to determine the most miserable cities in Pennsylvania is usually a subjective matter.
But if you’re analyzing cities where people are not stable, where you’re stuck in traffic, and no one spent the time to go to college, then this is an accurate list.
The happiest cities in Pennsylvania are Edinboro, State College, Lewisburg, Bellefonte, Clarks Summit, Wyomissing, New Cumberland, Lititz, Hollidaysburg, and West Chester.
If you’re curious enough, here are the most miserable cities in Pennsylvania, according to science:
- Darby
- Duquesne
- Folcroft
For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania
- Cheapest Places To Live In Pennsylvania
- Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania
- Richest Cities In Pennsylvania
- Safest Places In Pennsylvania
- Worst Places To Live In Pennsylvania
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Pennsylvania
Happiest Cities In Pennsylvania For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | Poverty Level | Median Home Value | % Married | % Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinboro, PA | 5,440 | 20.5% | $288,726 | 20.0% | 17.52% |
| 2 | State College, PA | 41,050 | 38.1% | $408,500 | 6.0% | 13.65% |
| 3 | Lewisburg, PA | 5,257 | 20.8% | $326,711 | 11.0% | 11.62% |
| 4 | Bellefonte, PA | 6,009 | 13.1% | $309,022 | 30.0% | 19.49% |
| 5 | Clarks Summit, PA | 5,073 | 4.6% | $323,509 | 31.0% | 19.25% |
| 6 | Wyomissing, PA | 11,172 | 7.3% | $377,345 | 29.0% | 19.87% |
| 7 | New Cumberland, PA | 7,580 | 10.3% | $292,639 | 33.0% | 20.58% |
| 8 | Lititz, PA | 9,619 | 4.1% | $458,674 | 36.0% | 23.84% |
| 9 | Hollidaysburg, PA | 5,558 | 8.2% | $243,008 | 36.0% | 24.91% |
| 10 | West Chester, PA | 20,666 | 20.4% | $657,112 | 12.0% | 13.15% |
| 11 | Carlisle, PA | 21,852 | 15.1% | $329,619 | 18.0% | 18.83% |
| 12 | Hermitage, PA | 16,041 | 10.9% | $213,564 | 42.0% | 19.67% |
| 13 | Moosic, PA | 5,973 | 7.2% | $238,010 | 31.0% | 24.46% |
| 14 | Dunmore, PA | 14,181 | 12.0% | $217,856 | 32.0% | 24.09% |
| 15 | Gettysburg, PA | 8,254 | 14.1% | $366,470 | 11.0% | 20.35% |
| 16 | Grove City, PA | 7,830 | 10.8% | $219,876 | 21.0% | 22.91% |
| 17 | Castle Shannon, PA | 8,209 | 10.5% | $211,413 | 29.0% | 14.68% |
| 18 | Bloomsburg, PA | 13,024 | 26.5% | $257,066 | 12.0% | 15.21% |
| 19 | Perkasie, PA | 9,216 | 6.7% | $512,871 | 38.0% | 23.1% |
| 20 | Coraopolis, PA | 5,417 | 11.5% | $302,085 | 27.0% | 18.58% |
| 21 | Camp Hill, PA | 8,169 | 6.6% | $331,050 | 33.0% | 33.93% |
| 22 | Archbald, PA | 7,404 | 8.2% | $242,130 | 47.0% | 29.0% |
| 23 | Conshohocken, PA | 9,282 | 4.2% | $482,551 | 28.0% | 16.97% |
| 24 | Mount Joy, PA | 8,344 | 9.1% | $296,067 | 42.0% | 27.29% |
| 25 | Mechanicsburg, PA | 9,720 | 5.6% | $401,857 | 29.0% | 23.68% |
| 26 | Selinsgrove, PA | 5,593 | 5.1% | $239,847 | 16.0% | 15.21% |
| 27 | Doyle, PA | 8,341 | 5.5% | $586,246 | 21.0% | 22.61% |
| 28 | Dubois, PA | 7,402 | 14.0% | $169,881 | 31.0% | 19.68% |
| 29 | Bridgeport, PA | 5,174 | 18.2% | $352,989 | 18.0% | 33.32% |
| 30 | Bellevue, PA | 8,128 | 9.4% | $236,964 | 27.0% | 18.75% |
| 31 | Palmyra, PA | 7,755 | 11.6% | $343,038 | 30.0% | 28.27% |
| 32 | Somerset, PA | 5,944 | 17.2% | $217,890 | 29.0% | 21.34% |
| 33 | Swoyersville, PA | 5,048 | 9.7% | $206,254 | 39.0% | 13.28% |
| 34 | Birdsboro, PA | 5,116 | 18.1% | $331,844 | 38.0% | 28.94% |
| 35 | Pittsburgh, PA | 304,759 | 20.1% | $237,533 | 18.0% | 17.55% |
| 36 | Greensburg, PA | 14,741 | 14.4% | $238,468 | 29.0% | 18.11% |
| 37 | Media, PA | 5,870 | 4.1% | $632,297 | 20.0% | 15.28% |
| 38 | Millersville, PA | 8,982 | 23.1% | $353,092 | 14.0% | 27.9% |
| 39 | West View, PA | 6,533 | 8.8% | $252,295 | 34.0% | 26.91% |
| 40 | Economy, PA | 9,005 | 6.5% | $278,625 | 50.0% | 21.74% |
| 41 | Carnegie, PA | 7,978 | 11.7% | $224,034 | 27.0% | 16.15% |
| 42 | Columbia, PA | 10,278 | 21.4% | $290,829 | 30.0% | 23.86% |
| 43 | South Williamsport, PA | 6,211 | 4.4% | $191,786 | 42.0% | 23.79% |
| 44 | Indiana, PA | 14,212 | 21.7% | $192,678 | 20.0% | 18.76% |
| 45 | Warren, PA | 9,240 | 9.9% | $139,190 | 34.0% | 22.13% |
| 46 | New Holland, PA | 5,780 | 10.7% | $408,128 | 33.0% | 31.59% |
| 47 | Blakely, PA | 6,662 | 9.0% | $220,300 | 33.0% | 20.96% |
| 48 | Ambler, PA | 6,847 | 6.0% | $686,428 | 30.0% | 35.2% |
| 49 | Collegeville, PA | 5,247 | 7.1% | $568,662 | 22.0% | 20.07% |
| 50 | Oakmont, PA | 6,702 | 5.4% | $333,787 | 40.0% | 25.91% |
| 51 | Duryea, PA | 5,084 | 22.6% | $195,347 | 35.0% | 26.31% |
| 52 | Nazareth, PA | 6,043 | 16.0% | $443,943 | 25.0% | 24.22% |
| 53 | Palmerton, PA | 5,622 | 15.9% | $254,961 | 33.0% | 18.77% |
| 54 | Greenville, PA | 5,523 | 16.5% | $154,867 | 32.0% | 24.98% |
| 55 | Phoenixville, PA | 19,452 | 8.1% | $521,603 | 24.0% | 24.0% |
| 56 | Bethlehem, PA | 77,956 | 15.7% | $351,352 | 17.0% | 23.62% |
| 57 | Lansdale, PA | 19,011 | 11.3% | $496,719 | 23.0% | 30.72% |
| 58 | Franklin Park, PA | 15,235 | 0.7% | $539,475 | 39.0% | 41.56% |
| 59 | Old Forge, PA | 8,573 | 7.4% | $207,906 | 36.0% | 22.64% |
| 60 | St. Marys, PA | 12,529 | 7.8% | $165,531 | 46.0% | 17.69% |
| 61 | Baldwin, PA | 21,057 | 9.5% | $231,521 | 37.0% | 28.37% |
| 62 | Williamsport, PA | 27,612 | 25.4% | $202,720 | 20.0% | 25.98% |
| 63 | Elizabet, PA | 11,925 | 7.6% | $265,182 | 34.0% | 29.32% |
| 64 | Olyphant, PA | 5,381 | 8.8% | $228,297 | 31.0% | 26.12% |
| 65 | Dormont, PA | 8,063 | 7.9% | $246,407 | 28.0% | 18.53% |
| 66 | Ridley Park, PA | 7,261 | 5.4% | $309,370 | 37.0% | 27.9% |
| 67 | Whitehall, PA | 14,811 | 6.7% | $262,405 | 38.0% | 21.87% |
| 68 | Shippensburg, PA | 5,620 | 10.8% | $197,415 | 20.0% | 24.04% |
| 69 | Middl, PA | 9,632 | 12.4% | $179,528 | 22.0% | 22.06% |
| 70 | Souderton, PA | 7,181 | 10.1% | $462,110 | 36.0% | 31.5% |
| 71 | Aliquippa, PA | 9,079 | 22.9% | $199,054 | 27.0% | 17.13% |
| 72 | Ephrata, PA | 13,772 | 7.9% | $249,296 | 33.0% | 27.81% |
| 73 | Morrisville, PA | 9,752 | 8.6% | $547,935 | 20.0% | 26.67% |
| 74 | Emmaus, PA | 11,889 | 7.3% | $385,740 | 37.0% | 32.63% |
| 75 | Lower Burrell, PA | 11,633 | 7.8% | $200,395 | 45.0% | 26.0% |
| 76 | Crafton, PA | 5,961 | 9.6% | $208,118 | 34.0% | 22.82% |
| 77 | Brookhaven, PA | 8,331 | 4.1% | $265,656 | 38.0% | 25.98% |
| 78 | Plum, PA | 26,723 | 3.6% | $252,851 | 46.0% | 30.04% |
| 79 | Shillington, PA | 5,492 | 16.7% | $260,080 | 34.0% | 33.09% |
| 80 | Chambersburg, PA | 22,319 | 15.3% | $286,440 | 20.0% | 26.11% |
| 81 | Hatboro, PA | 8,283 | 4.4% | $440,910 | 35.0% | 29.72% |
| 82 | Erie, PA | 93,850 | 23.3% | $198,492 | 22.0% | 25.43% |
| 83 | Forest Hills, PA | 6,286 | 4.3% | $222,966 | 38.0% | 20.76% |
| 84 | Monessen, PA | 6,780 | 20.8% | $80,828 | 36.0% | 24.29% |
| 85 | Canonsburg, PA | 9,675 | 6.2% | $358,323 | 29.0% | 26.27% |
| 86 | Downin, PA | 8,255 | 5.6% | $393,052 | 25.0% | 33.04% |
| 87 | Ellwood City, PA | 7,532 | 9.5% | $151,015 | 36.0% | 21.94% |
| 88 | Jefferson Hills, PA | 12,317 | 2.8% | $350,948 | 50.0% | 34.38% |
| 89 | Franklin, PA | 5,984 | 17.3% | $126,691 | 32.0% | 23.0% |
| 90 | Kennett Square, PA | 6,243 | 5.3% | $620,982 | 14.0% | 34.9% |
| 91 | Sunbury, PA | 9,617 | 18.7% | $177,767 | 35.0% | 23.85% |
| 92 | Jeannette, PA | 8,657 | 18.8% | $174,393 | 34.0% | 20.78% |
| 93 | Pleasant Hills, PA | 8,399 | 4.8% | $265,879 | 42.0% | 30.1% |
| 94 | Scranton, PA | 76,033 | 23.0% | $181,950 | 21.0% | 27.31% |
| 95 | Butler, PA | 13,212 | 21.4% | $235,360 | 24.0% | 23.07% |
| 96 | Altoona, PA | 43,196 | 16.6% | $134,583 | 35.0% | 26.16% |
| 97 | Johnstown, PA | 18,087 | 31.9% | $86,107 | 25.0% | 20.72% |
| 98 | Tyrone, PA | 5,377 | 11.5% | $155,310 | 40.0% | 21.48% |
| 99 | Berwick, PA | 10,317 | 16.5% | $203,642 | 32.0% | 27.44% |
| 100 | Pittston, PA | 7,626 | 20.0% | $201,703 | 22.0% | 23.42% |