
14 Great Places To Live In Pennsylvania In 2025
Pennsylvania is stylish. Stretching from the Great Lakes, over the Application Mountains, and neighboring New York City, P.A. has great schools, great hospitals, huge cities, mountain ranges and vast rural landscapes.
The Keystone State has a lot of good stuff going that would make anyone contemplate a move, from a robust educational system to a vibrant mix of cultures and an exciting mix of small-town charm and big-city life. Options range from bustling metro areas to laid-back rural communities.
Are you considering a move or maybe going back to school? Given the diversity and sheer amount of options available, this article saves you the trouble by highlighting some of the best places to live in Pennsylvania in 2025.
West Chester

This charming borough of Chester County sits less than an hour outside Philadelphia, providing convenient access that balances its relatively small-town atmosphere. It is home to West Chester University as part of its robust school district, ensuring locals need not travel far for quality higher education. The college has elevated the local art and culture scene, which provides visual and performance art opportunities at the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center and the Chester County Art Association. West Chester's vibrant downtown has over 100 independent-owned businesses, resulting in a one-stop shop for your household necessities.
Residents can also access nature areas like the 570-acre Natural Lands' Stroud Preserve for outdoor recreational needs. The cost of living is higher than the national average in Chester County, with the median home price at $735,000, but West Chester is a beautiful community worth investing in.
Phoenixville

This suburb of Philadelphia has experienced economic revitalization since the closure of Phoenix Iron Works in the 1980s, which damaged the region's economy. Phoenixville houses the University of Valley Forge, making it a go-to for young people seeking academic progression. A sense of camaraderie in the town stems from hosting various events and festivals that bring townsfolk together, including the Firebird Festival and the Dogwood Festival. Also, the weekly Phoenixville Farmers' Market fosters cordial socialization in a fun atmosphere with fresh farm produce and handmade crafts on the menu.
The refurbished downtown area boasts the restored Colonial Theatre, a turn-of-the-century movie screening and live performance venue. It also harbors numerous eateries, breweries, boutiques, and other locally owned ventures, demonstrating a thriving small business environment. Furthermore, Phoenixville has a strong school system, allowing parents to send their children to public, private, or charter schools with outdoor recreational opportunities available at the sprawling Black Rock Sanctuary. The median housing cost is $489,000.
Collegeville

Collegeville is an excellent place to put down roots if you appreciate a quiet suburban lifestyle. It provides numerous nature spaces for fun outdoor activities, highlighted by the over 3,000-acre Evansburg State Park. Downtown Collegeville hosts an eclectic mix of local businesses that result in a vibrant social hub. Residents can access all their grocery and household necessities at Providence Town Center. The local economy is fueled majorly by the pharmaceutical industry, with two major players, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, stationed in the community.
The Ursinus College has enhanced the local education system and the arts and culture landscape with contributions like the Phillip and Muriel Berman Art Museum. Although Collegeville has a higher cost of living, with an average housing price of $586,000, its crime and poverty rates are well below most areas in the state and country.
Ardmore

Popularly known as the "Main Street of the Main Line," a nod to the Greater Philadelphia public transit, Ardmore is one of the finest suburbs you can settle in. It boasts a vibrant Suburban Square with more than 250 independent retailers, boutiques, eateries, shops, and local businesses to cater to all your shopping and dining needs. The Ardmore Farmers Market ensures a constant supply of fresh-from-the-farm produce, while the Ardmore Music Hall makes for a vital cultural hub where townspeople can congregate to watch entertaining live performances.
Multiple golf courses, including Merion Golf Club, allow for delightful outdoor recreation. With the Old Pennsylvania Railroad passing through Ardmore, the commute to Philadelphia lasts a few minutes. While the median home price is on the higher side at $470,000, Ardmore's thriving economy allows the median household income to be above the national average.
Easton

This Northampton County borough is located near Allentown and is known for being one of the three areas that hosted a the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence. Easton's rich history is intertwined with transportation and the steel industry, which can be explored further at the National Canal Museum. It is a great place to raise a family, offering a suburban atmosphere and an above-average public school system. Attractions like Bushkill Park and the Crayola Experience theme park also make it a kid-friendly destination.
The town is home to Lafayette College, a high-ranking liberal arts and engineering school. Unsurprisingly, it enjoys a lively arts and culture landscape, evidenced by Â鶹AV-class venues like the 1,500-seater State Theatre Center for the Arts. Finally, there are numerous festivals to look forward to, such as the Easton Garlic Fest in October, and the average price of homes is $259,000, relatively affordable for Pennsylvania.
Emmaus

Emmaus is a small town in the Lehigh Valley steeped in mining and railroad heritage. The Emmaus Historical Society preserves and interprets the town's history since its founding in 1759 and showcases artifacts and memorabilia, chronicling everything from the iron mining, railway, and silk manufacturing eras. The area's countryside location, at the base of the South Mountain, provides abundant nature areas for diverse outdoor activities, including Wildlands Conservancy and Furnace Dam Park. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the lively craft brewery scene, with establishments like Yergey Brewing serving tasty artisan beers.
Art plays an important role in the Emmaus community and this shows several art venues and festivals held throughout the year. Residents get cultured by the Emmaus Arts Commission and the annual SnowBlast Winter Arts Festival. Meanwhile, the upscale real estate in the city means approximately $415,000.
Middletown

Middletown's proximity to Harrisburg, just 10 miles away, allows residents to access urban comforts readily while enjoying a quiet suburban atmosphere. This might explain the higher cost of living compared to the national average, as well as the presence of the Penn State Harrisburg. Nevertheless, the reward is quality opportunities for higher education and a crime rate below the United States average. Outdoor activities abound at the various nature areas surrounding the city, such as Oak Hills Park and Sunset Golf Course.
Families can also take advantage of a classic time with loved ones at Doc's Family Fun Center with activities like roller skating and roller hockey. The major industries fueling Middletown's economy are healthcare and retail, which has led to a lower unemployment rate than the national average. Finally, the median home cost is $302,400, above the state average.
Aspinwall

This Allegheny County municipality is a part of the Pittsburgh metro, which gives it a dense urban feel. It is a suitable base for families, with a downtown area adorned with family-centric establishments, such as Aspinwall Beans'n'cream and Spark Books. Aspinwall's public school system is highly rated within a highly rated state. The median household income is above the national average in Aspinwall, and in part, this makes it an enticing destination for young professionals, with numerous employment opportunities in Pittsburgh.
Safety is another vital consideration for settling in Aspinwall, given a lower crime rate than most towns and cities in America. On the flipside, the median home listing is higher than the national average at $440,000.
Jenkintown

Jenkintown is a lovely Philadelphia suburb with a small-town atmosphere: one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania in 2025. It has a beautiful downtown district with many shops, restaurants, and galleries. The walkable corridor hosts several points of interest, such as This Little Gallery, ideal for gift shopping. Meanwhile, the Abington Club serves as an essential social hub in Jenkintown, providing a range of recreational amenities for residents to come together.
For outdoor recreation, townsfolk gather at Hallowell Park to bask in a serene green space during lazy strolls and unassuming picnics. Jenkintown is one of the safest Philadelphia suburbs, and has a median housing price near the country's meridian at $357,000.
Hershey

The "Sweetest Place in America" promises incoming residents a sweet life in a utopian-like community designed for families. Hershey is chock-full of kid-friendly opportunities, best known for housing the Hershey Company. It produces one of the country's most famous chocolate brands, which residents can sample during a fun tour of Hershey's Chocolate Â鶹AV. The Hershey Area Playhouse showcases childsafe theatrical productions that townsfolk can watch to support local talent.
Meanwhile, Hershey Gardens is the ultimate urban oasis, boasting magnificent floral displays and a serene atmosphere for those looking to reconnect with Mother Nature. Overall, Hershey is a peaceful community that rarely experiences violent crimes. Although the median housing cost of $449,900 is above the national average, living costs are more affordable in Central P.A. in comparison to East Coast cities.
Jim Thorpe

Nicknamed " Switzerland of America," Jim Thorpe is a beautiful borough in the Pocono Mountains region, enveloped by stunning outdoor scenery. It presents numerous opportunities to immerse in the great outdoors, including riding the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway to admire the breathtaking landscapes of the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Downtown Jim Thorpe harbors a fair share of cultural and heritage centers, preserving the community's colorful past. The Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center chronologically brings the Jim Thorpe story into perspective with related relics and memorabilia.
Additionally, the Mauch Chunk Opera House entertains audiences with engaging live performances. Jim Thorpe is a standard American city with a living cost more or less than the national average and a crime rate below the nation's average. Conversely, the median home price is decent at $309,000.
New Hope

Steeped in history and housing a vibrant arts scene, this eastern Pennsylvania community has all the hallmarks of an ideal hometown. Its colorful history shows through several downtown gems, including the rustic Parry Mansion Museum. This landmark reflects different periods in the community's chronology, with furnishings and artifacts dating back to the 18th century. New Hope is a regionally recognized cultural hub with acclaimed venues like Bucks County Playhouse. It also provides a variety of options for outdoor recreation, such as the 134-acre Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.
New Hope has a lower violent crime rate than the Pennsylvania average, but you will have to spend more than most areas in the nation to afford the local living cost. This is because the houses are large; the median home rate is $975,000.
State College

This vibrant college community, home to Pennsylvania State University, is an excellent choice for young professionals and aspiring young professionals because of its networking potential, academic progression, and career growth. It has a lively arts community and hosts a fair share of exhibit and performance venues, highlighted by the Palmer Museum of Art. College sports is a mainstay in the local culture, with multiple arenas and stadiums treating residents to riveting rivalries. The atmosphere is always electric when the Penn State football team takes to the gridiron.
Meanwhile, the Arboretum at Penn State is where nature lovers can be in their element, offering pleasant trails, gardens, and scenic woodlands to explore. The local economy runs on the back of Penn State University, boasting a low unemployment rate of 2.4%. Finally, the local housing price is $409,000 on average.
Conshohocken

Conshohocken is another lovely Philadelphia suburb you can adopt as a new home to enjoy the best of both Â鶹AVs. It has a small-town feel, with less than 10,000 residents, and provides access to all the creature comforts in neighboring Philadelphia. The town is dotted with park spaces to ensure recreation opportunities for outdoor lovers. These include Aubrey Collins Park and Colwell Park, which are perfect for spending quality time with friends or family.
The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly, with a cluster of restaurants, amusement centers, shops, and galleries. On the flip side, the cost of living and median home price, at $535,000, is higher than the national average, but you can dwell on the crime rate, which is way lower than the standard in America.
Whether you are planning to move to a different town in Pennsylvania or relocating from a different state in the country, the Keystone State offers a range of exciting options that will make for the perfect home. From riverside communities and vibrant suburbs to mountainside enclaves, expect to find a destination that matches most, if not all, of your preferences. The discussed best places to live in Pennsylvania in 2025 represent a fraction of the choices on offer.