11 Best Towns In Pennsylvania To Retire Comfortably
Pennsylvania gives retirees real choice in how and where they live without forcing a tradeoff on price. Johnstown is one of the clearest examples with a median listing price around $83,000 well below the state median of $278,733. That price still buys a walkable downtown and a community calendar that runs from Polkafest to the nearby Art in Bloom Spring Show. Other towns deliver just as much. Greensburg offers plenty for art lovers and Lehighton sets up countless outdoor adventures. These 11 towns are good places to retire in Pennsylvania that are affordable and worth settling down in for your golden years.
Johnstown
Once a bustling industrial city, Johnstown now stands as a quiet Rust Belt town that suits retirees. It is also very affordable for new residents, with a median home list price of around $83,000, well below the state average. But don’t let the lower cost of living fool you; Johnstown has plenty to offer retirees.
One of the city’s star attractions is the 1st Summit Arena, which hosts Johnstown Tomahawks hockey games and regular concerts. To learn more about the history of the area, check out the Johnstown Flood Museum. Its exhibits document the three major floods that hit the town and gave it the nickname “Flood City.” Johnstown also has a friendly community full of people willing to help create entertainment for all ages, which you can see in their frequent public events. For art lovers, the annual Art in Bloom Spring Show in nearby Ebensburg is one to mark on the calendar, and music lovers will find a lot to enjoy during the Johnstown Polkafest that celebrates the area’s Polish community.
Munhall
Munhall is a suburb of Pittsburgh, but it retains much of the small-town feel you expect from Western Pennsylvania. It was once home to workers of the massive Pennsylvania steel industry, but now stands as a strong retirement community with median home list prices of $162,466.
Munhall is home to the Carnegie Library of Homestead, a sizable library with a collection of 34,000 books. It also hosts regular concerts at the on-site music hall, making it a good place for seniors to spend a day. If you would like to see some local artwork or get some lessons, the Paint Monkey Waterfront offers lessons and open studio sessions. And the town always has something unique happening, including the Bealtaine event every year, put on by the Pittsburgh Irish Festival.
York
South-central Pennsylvania is generally not the most affordable place to live, but for those who love the natural beauty of the area and don’t want to break the bank, York may be the answer. With a median home list price of $255,400, it sits right below the state’s average, making it a relatively affordable place to retire.
Despite its affordable nature, there’s no shortage of fun ways to spend your golden years in York. South-central Pennsylvania has a large farming community, and you can sample local foods and get fresh produce at the Central Market House. If you enjoy the arts, the Appell Center for the Performing Arts hosts concerts, plays, and more regularly. York also celebrates its history with several museums, including the Agricultural & Industrial Museum, where you can learn about how the area’s industries developed and see the equipment used to make them happen.
Altoona
Altoona has long been heralded as one of the more affordable places to retire in Pennsylvania for those who want a mix of city amenities and a rural pace of life. With a median home list price of just over $140,000, it sits well below the state average while having no shortage of opportunities.
Altoona is a fine pick for lovers of the railroad. Right outside the city is Horseshoe Curve, an engineering marvel that changed railroad construction by allowing trains to go around the Allegheny Mountains. You can learn more about this railroad history at the Railroaders Memorial Museum. If you like taking the grandchildren out for a picnic or just being out in nature, Altoona has no shortage of parks, most notably Valley View County Park. Retirees can also stay active by joining the Blair County Pickleball Club that hosts regular events.
Lehighton
Sitting right next to Jim Thorpe and a short drive from Allentown, Lehighton offers retirees a mix of affordability and convenience. The median home list price is right around the state average despite the prime location in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Retirees who enjoy the great outdoors in Pennsylvania will have no shortage of options to enjoy nature in Lehighton. Beltzville State Park has trout-stocked waters for anglers, picnic areas for a day with the grandkids, and beaches to relax on. Just outside of town, you will find the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway that takes you through the vistas of the Poconos on a train ride. Every year, the town hosts Pickle Fest, a celebration of all things pickles, at Country Junction, the world’s largest general store.
Indiana
Indiana may be a college town as the home of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, but it provides a strong rural feel for retirees. Despite the influx of college students every year, the town has affordable housing, with a median home listing price of around $231,000.
Indiana is the birthplace of legendary actor James Stewart, and you can learn more about his life and formative years at the Jimmy Stewart Museum. You can also catch a matinee of many of his films at the museum. If you enjoy art, you will find new monthly exhibitions at Artists Hand Gallery and Espresso Bar on Philadelphia Street. And when you need some fresh air, Blue Spruce Park is a good place for a picnic or nature walk.
Somerset
Somerset County captured international attention in 2002 when nine miners were trapped underground at the nearby Quecreek mine. The eventual rescue of the miners drew the spotlight to the region, but today Somerset stands as a rural town with plenty to offer retirees who want to enjoy some peace and quiet in their golden years. Housing is below the state average in price, making it an affordable place to put down roots as well.
Residents can learn more about the rescue operation at the Quecreek Mine Rescue Site just outside town. To enjoy the outdoors, the over 4,000-acre Laurel Hill State Park has something for everyone, including fishing, easy trails, and hunting opportunities. After a day outside, enjoy a meal at Summit Diner, with a retro feel and classic American-style food.
DuBois
DuBois is a quiet town in West-Central Pennsylvania that offers a laid-back atmosphere without sacrificing many of the creature comforts of larger areas. The area suits golf lovers, with two excellent courses to choose from. The Kenterra Golf Course just outside of town offers affordable rates for golf and 18 holes. For a more upscale option, the DuBois Country Club offers daily rates and complimentary green fees for seniors 80 and above. If golf isn’t your thing, the Day Spa DuBois offers a full suite of treatments to have you looking your best.
All these amenities come in an affordable package, as homes in DuBois have a median list price just under the state’s average.
Titusville
Titusville was once a hotbed of the American oil industry, as it was the industry’s birthplace and one of the world’s leading oil-producing areas. Today, it is a sleepy town near the Ohio border that draws retirees for its affordable cost of living and rich history. Every year, the town celebrates the Oil Festival, a celebration of its past, with a chance to buy local handmade goods and try good food.
For a relaxing day out in nature, the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad has you covered. These train rides take you through the region to see its natural beauty at a leisurely pace. To stay in touch with the community and active, the Titusville Senior Center has a new fitness center and plenty of social events for retirees.
Greensburg
Greensburg is a small town in Pennsylvania well suited to art lovers. Every year, the town hosts the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival with handmade crafts and local vendors. Greensburg is home to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, where you can find pieces of art from across the country, with a strong focus on local art from the region. For live performances, the Palace Theatre is your place. The building dates back to the 1920s and has frequent performances of live music and theatrical productions.
The median list price for a home sits at around $264,000, meaning you will be paying right around the state’s expected figure for your home to enjoy retirement in this artistic city in Western Pennsylvania.
Williamsport
Williamsport suits retirement if you want to spend it in a larger town that still retains a quieter character. Williamsport is a well-known city as the longtime home of the Little League World Series, which the area has hosted since 1947. Retiring to this community gives you a chance to see this yearly spectacle without any travel.
Of course, if you don’t like sports, Williamsport still has plenty to offer retirees. Journey Bank Community Arts Center hosts regular theatrical productions and orchestral performances and is easily accessible on foot. And if the grandchildren are visiting, you can take them to the Kaos Fun Zone for a day they will cherish.
Enjoy a Low Cost of Living in Beautiful Pennsylvania
Enjoying all Pennsylvania has to offer, retirees don’t have to break the bank. Moving to any of these affordable retirement cities will allow you to put more of your money toward enjoying retirement. Whether you enjoy taking in a live show, golfing, walking through nature, or spending time with your grandchildren, there’s something for everyone in the Keystone State.
