8 PA Cities Among Best Places To Live In America, U.S. News Says

PENNSYLVANIA — Eight cities in Pennsylvania are among the top 150 places to live, according to a new ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The cities in Pennsylvania named to the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in the U.S. report and their rankings include:

• No. 36, Pittsburgh
• From U.S. News: “Since the steel mills closed in the 1980s, Pittsburgh feels cleaner and full of energy. Pittsburgh encompasses almost 2,000 acres of land in just its city parks and offers county parks, state parks and riverfront parks to its residents.”
• No. 79, Lancaster
  • From U.S. News: "Lancaster holds something for everyone, from close-knit church communities to the indie coffee shop scene."
• No. 93, Scranton
  • From U.S. News: "Scranton's low crime rate and low cost of living make it a popular place for families, while the vital, healthy downtown is a magnet for young professionals."
• No. 109, Harrisburg
  • From U.S. News: "The great outdoors is easily accessible in Harrisburg – Pennsylvania's capital. Bikers and runners take in the scenery of the Susquehanna River on the trails of Riverfront Park, which also hosts many of the metro area's annual festivals and events. Residents also enjoy hiking the famous Appalachian Trail or camping and mountain biking in the many nearby state parks and forests."
• No. 128, Allentown
  • From U.S. News: "Much of the charm in Pennsylvania's third-largest city comes from its vast collection of historic homes and buildings, commercial structures and century-old industrial buildings. Architects have modernized and converted many closed mills and manufacturing buildings into apartments and lofts."
• No. 135, Philadelphia
  • From U.S. News: "Philadelphia offers a unique setting for an eclectic mix of modern lifestyles, mingling both the edgy and the sophisticated ... culture is well-established in Philly, too, as evidenced by the array of art galleries, music venues and theaters."
• No. 137, York
  • From U.S. News: "Newcomers to York will find remnants of its rich history and industrial heritage coloring the urban landscape, from restored Colonial-era buildings to unexpected touches of playful public sculpture made from bits of old York machinery."
• No. 142, Reading
  • From U.S. News: "The area is home to the real-life Reading Railroad from the Monopoly board game, along with glimpses into the Allegheny Aqueduct and a more than 100-year-old, seven-story pagoda that overlooks the bordering Reading Prong mountain formation."

Naples, Florida, topped the list due to its strong job market and high quality of life, U.S. News said. A change in data collection, including a shift from metropolitan area-based data to city-based data — brought some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South.

“The incorporation of city-based data further localizes the Best Places to Live rankings, empowering those looking for a place to call home to consider factors directly impacting the livability and overall experiences associated with a given place,” Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, said in a news release.

The top 10 places to live in the United States, according to the U.S. News methodology, are:

1. Naples, Florida
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
4. Greenville, South Carolina
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
7. Huntsville, Alabama
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
9. Austin, Texas
10. Boulder, Colorado

This year, U.S. News also adjusted its scoring weights for stronger considerations of a city’s value and job market.

“Rising concerns about career prospects, housing affordability and increased cost of goods and services are reflected in this year’s rankings,” Giovanetti said. “While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans, a city’s value and job market are becoming increasingly important for those looking for a place to live.”

U.S. News takes into consideration the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. The measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of people to find out what qualities they think are important in deciding where to live.

The 2024-2025 Best Places to Live were determined based on a methodology that takes into account the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. These measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find what qualities they consider important in a place to live.

Data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Sharecare, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other U.S. News rankings were also used in the rankings.