9 Most Affordable Places to Live in Pennsylvania in 2024
With its rich history highlighted in landmarks like Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains and Lancaster County’s countryside, Pennsylvania has much to offer to its residents. If you’re currently living in or are considering moving to Pennsylvania, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under for renting or buying a home. For example, the median home sale price in Pennsylvania is $298,400 as of July.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has gathered a list of the 9 most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania, and they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Erie to Harrisburg, let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
#1: Erie
Median home price: $136,250
Average sale price per square foot: $59
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $770
Median household income: $43,135
Erie, PA homes for sale
Erie, PA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $136,250, Erie is the most affordable place to live in Pennsylvania. About 92,900 people live in this city and is located along Lake Erie, so you’ll have picturesque views year-round. Living in Erie, you can explore the charming downtown area, check out landmarks like the Erie Land Lighthouse and Bicentennial Tower, see a show at the Warner Theatre, and visit the Erie Maritime Museum. Don’t miss out on visiting Presque Isle State Park, with over 11 miles of beaches.
#2: Harrisburg
Median home price: $164,000
Average sale price per square foot: $107
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,210
Median household income: $41,035
Harrisburg, PA homes for sale
Harrisburg, PA apartments for rent
Consider adding Harrisburg to your list of cities to check out if you’re looking for an affordable place to move to in Pennsylvania. Home to 50,100 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. In Harrisburg, you can stop by the Pennsylvania State Capitol where you’ll find the State Museum of Pennsylvania, visit the Broad Street Market filled with local vendors and fresh produce, and explore Wildwood Park.
#3: Scranton
Median home price: $173,750
Average sale price per square foot: $107
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,507
Median household income: $48,776
Nearest major metro: Allentown (80 miles)
Scranton, PA homes for sale
Scranton, PA apartments for rent
Third is Scranton where about 75,800 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $173,750 which is about $120K less than the median home sale price in Pennsylvania. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable city, make sure to explore downtown, home to museums like Steamtown National Historic Site, The Electric City Trolley Museum, and Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den. Make sure to check out the city’s green spaces, such as Nay Aug Park and McDade Park.
#4: Reading
Median home price: $180,000
Average sale price per square foot: $118
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,877
Median household income: $42,852
Nearest major metro: Allentown (40 miles)
Reading, PA homes for sale
Reading, PA apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Scranton is none other than Reading. With roughly 94,900 residents in Reading make sure to check out landmarks like the Reading Pagoda, the Reading Public Museum, and Berks History Center. You can also explore downtown Reading where you’ll find the Santander Performing Arts Center, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, and Santander Arena.
#5: Pittsburgh
Median home price: $235,000
Average sale price per square foot: $179
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,425
Median household income: $60,187
Pittsburgh, PA homes for sale
Pittsburgh, PA apartments for rent
Taking the fifth spot is Pittsburgh, another one of the affordable places to live in Pennsylvania. The “City of Brotherly Love,” has a population of 303,200 and countless things to explore. For example, you can explore the Andy Warhol Museum, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Carnegie Museum of Art, or the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. You can also explore the eclectic Pittsburgh neighborhoods, take in the views from Grandview Overlook, or watch a Pittsburgh Steelers game. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in Pittsburgh.
#6: Lancaster
Median home price: $250,000
Average sale price per square foot: $173
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,597
Median household income: $61,014
Nearest major metro: Wilmington, DE (60 miles)
Lancaster, PA homes for sale
Lancaster, PA apartments for rent
Another noteworthy city is Lancaster, where the home prices are about $50K less than the state’s average. With roughly 57,100 people calling Lancaster home, it’s a great area to consider living in this year. There are lots of activities to do in this city. For example, you can check out the local vendors at Lancaster Central Market, explore the North Museum of Nature and Science, or see a show at Fulton Theatre.
#7: Allentown
Median home price: $250,000
Average sale price per square foot: $174
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,134
Median household income: $52,449
Allentown, PA homes for sale
Allentown, PA apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable places to live in Pennsylvania is Allentown. With a population of nearly 124,800, you’ll be living in a mid-sized city, but there is no shortage of things to do in Allentown. Be sure to check out one of the museums like the Allentown Art Museum, the Da Vinci Science Center, or the America On Wheels Museum, explore downtown Allentown, visit the Allentown Farmers Market, and stop by the Malcolm Gross Rose Garden.
#8: Philadelphia
Median home price: $269,950
Average sale price per square foot: $214
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,847
Median household income: $57,537
Philadelphia, PA homes for sale
Philadelphia, PA apartments for rent
The next city on our list is none other than Philadelphia. This affordable area is home to approximately 1.5 million residents, making it the most populous city on our list. Once moving to Philadelphia, make sure to visit iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth’s Alley, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Walnut Street Theatre. You can also check out the famous Reading Terminal Market, Belmont Plateau, South Street, and the Rodin Museum. There’s always something new to discover in Philadelphia.
#9: Bethlehem
Median home price: $287,450
Average sale price per square foot: $184
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,742
Median household income: $62,072
Nearest major metro: Allentown (6 miles)
Bethlehem, PA homes for sale
Bethlehem, PA apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of the most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania is Bethlehem. The population is about 58,300, making it a great spot if you’re looking for a smaller-town feeling. Bethlehem is conveniently located just 6 miles east of Allentown, so it’s easy to commute into the city. In Bethlehem, make sure to visit the famous SteelStacks, explore the charming downtown, take in the views at Sand Island Park, or check out the Lehigh University campus.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Pennsylvania. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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