8 Best Cities To Retire In Pennsylvania
Data from the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau shows that more than 20% of the population in Pennsylvania comprises residents aged 65 or older. This translates to nearly 2.5 million people, making it a haven for senior citizens. Many are drawn to its geographical diversity, which ranges from the Pocono Mountains to the Allegheny Forest and Lake Erie, allowing settlers to choose an option that best suits their lifestyle. World-class cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh entice those seeking a vibrant life with access to big-city comforts and some of the nation's best healthcare centers.
Whether you want to stretch your retirement savings in Pittsburgh, live in a friendly neighborhood, seek an active outdoor lifestyle in Erie, or avoid too high taxes, here are some of the best cities to retire in Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh
Despite being a world-class metropolis, Pittsburgh offers a relatively affordable cost of living with an average home value of $231,508, which is less than 35% of the American average home value. The city's endless list of high-quality attractions features special destinations that you won't find elsewhere in the country, including the National Aviary. This magnificent facility hosts the largest indoor aviary in the United States, featuring over 500 birds and representing at least 150 species from around the world. It immerses retirees in a fantasy-like world through close-up wildlife encounters, where you can watch penguins swim, witness flamingos dance, and experience vultures feeding.
The Andy Warhol Museum boasts the world's most extensive collection of art and archives by the celebrated artist Andy Warhol. This comprehensive single-artist museum offers retirees the opportunity to truly experience art and delve into the wildly creative mind of Warhol by exploring his thought-provoking pieces. Spanning 88,000 square feet, the museum's collection is split across 17 galleries and encompasses 900 paintings, 77 sculptures, 1,000 unique prints, and over 4,00 Warhol films. Top-class medical care is guaranteed by UPMC Presbyterian, ranked among the best hospitals in the state. The 900-bed academic and research institution offers a comprehensive range of services, earning recognition from U.S. News and World Report for its exceptional outcomes in geriatric care, cancer treatment, psychiatry, and stroke care.
Harrisburg
Pennsylvania's capital city is an ideal candidate for retirement, offering a mix of excellent senior healthcare, a comfortable lifestyle, and low taxes. While it is home to several hospitals, UPMC Harrisburg is the premier institution in the region, serving as the nucleus for UPMC's Central Pennsylvania network. The hospital offers an extensive range of specialties and services, such as neurosurgery, heart & vascular care, transplant services, orthopedics, bariatrics, and behavioral health. Seniors who love outdoor activities can take advantage of the Capital Area Greenbelt to explore its lush green spaces. This 20-mile loop of multi-use trails invites leisurely cycling, hobby hiking, and easygoing birding activities, connecting signature sanctuaries like Wildwood Park and Riverfront Park for a soothing outdoor experience.
The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts enriches the lives of seniors through premier cultural, entertainment, and educational opportunities. Its thought-provoking exhibits have been divided into four sections: UPMC Science Center, Sunoco Performance Center, PNC Innovation Zone, and Select Medical Digital Cinema Theater, culminating in a full-circle experience. Harrisburg's annual Kipona Festival is a time for social connection and honors the regional river heritage. Thousands gather on the banks for live music, crafts, canoe races, and food, creating a sense of community that senior citizens truly appreciate.
Philadelphia
The "City of Brotherly Love" has all the amenities, attractions, and vibes to make retirees feel at home for the rest of their golden years. Philadelphia boasts some of the best hospitals in the country, particularly the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. It is the only Honor Roll hospital in the state and features "High Performing" ratings for several conditions and procedures common among retirees, including cancer care, pulmonology, and ear, nose, & throat care. The Philadelphia Zoo is the ultimate escape for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Boasting the title of America's first zoo, it is set within a 42-acre garden that provides a habitat for over 1,200 animals, featuring rare and endangered species. Its one-of-a-kind Zoo360 trail network allows seniors a unique way of exploring the different animal exhibits, including Big Cat Falls, PECO Primate Reserve, and the McNeil Avian Center.
Art-loving senior citizens can enjoy a magical experience at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Spanning nearly half a city block, this immersive folk art attraction showcases a mosaic of mirrors, tiles, wheels, and other everyday objects. The brainchild of local artists Isaiah Zagar, seniors can enjoy relaxing tours to let their minds wander free and stimulate their creative intuition as they browse the exhibits.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is one of the most sought-after places to retire in eastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley region. It takes retirees on a rare journey through time at the Historic Moravian District, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The corridor is home to the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, where a cluster of 1700s buildings offers a glimpse into the town's founders and pioneer days. Highlights include the Gemeinhaus, a Nationally Registered former residence of Lewis David de Schweinitz.
Meanwhile, the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts offers a unique glimpse into old-world art, one of the few museums in the nation dedicated to decorative art. The location features a mix of folk art, paintings, and furnishings spanning approximately 300 years, housed inside three 19th-century homes. Outdoor recreation for retirees is available at the family-friendly Illick's Mill Park. This urban playground, situated on the banks of the Monocacy Creek, offers relaxing walking paths, a miniature golf course, and fishing areas.
Allentown
Allentown is one of the best cities to retire in Pennsylvania, anchored by the Lehigh Valley Hospital. This advanced referral center is ranked among the nation's top hospitals for cardiac care and boasts cutting-edge clinical research, enabling it to offer a wide range of specialties. These include cancer care, trauma care, pulmonology, and orthopedics. The Allentown Farmers Market is a true community hub, offering a vibrant gathering spot for retirees to enjoy everyday life while mingling with fellow residents and purchasing Amish goods, specialty foods, farm produce, and handicrafts.
Allentown welcomes car aficionados for a unique trip exploring the evolution of transportation in the country at the America on Wheels Museum. This auto-centric facility features 23,000 square feet of exhibition space, and its three main galleries exhibit over 70 motorcycles, bikes, trucks, and cars, which share the story of people dating back to the carriage days.
Erie
Erie is a vibrant city on the shores of Lake Erie, whose coastal location and practical amenities make it an ideal choice for retirement life. Senior citizens get satisfaction from hours of strolling Great Lakes beaches and sandy trails at Presque Isle State Park. This 3,200-acre paradise is a hub for recreation, featuring beaches, a paved 13-mile trail, and isolated sandbars that offer opportunities for hiking, paddling, fishing, and boating. The park is situated along the Atlantic Flyway and is a regionally recognized birding destination.
Erie also boasts a lively performance scene, and the Warner Theatre is easily the town's main cultural center. Hosting over 150 events annually, the venue shows performances from Lake Erie Ballet, the Erie Philharmonic, and the Erie Broadway Series, exposing retirees to a year-round itinerary of entertaining live shows in an immersive atmosphere. Those with an appreciation for nature will delight in encountering the unique flora and fauna at the Erie Zoo. The location provides a home for over 400 animals and features comfortable walking paths through diverse animal exhibits and several botanical gardens, where you can spend quiet hours observing and admiring the animals.
Scranton
Locally known as "The Electric City," Scranton is rooted in industrial heritage and made significant contributions during the Industrial Revolution. It brings America's train history back to life at the Steamtown National Historic Site. Located on a 62-acre property, which once served as a yard for the Lackawanna and Western Railroad, this site connects retirees with America's industrial past through vivid exhibits of steam locomotives. The site is adjacent to the Electricity City Trolley Museum, which features additional exhibits from the railway era, including vintage trolleys and a unique trolley ride.
The Scranton Walking Trail provides retirees with the perfect opportunity to be outside. Stretching over 3.5 miles around the picturesque Lake Scranton, it welcomes walking, jogging, and biking opportunities in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by wooded scenery. There is always something entertaining at the Scranton Cultural Center, where enthusiasts from across the region gather to watch award-winning musicals, concerts, kids' shows, and more inside this Gothic Revival facility.
Lancaster
Lancaster is at the heart of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, renowned for its Amish and Mennonite communities and an overall tranquil lifestyle. Retirees will love experiencing authentic Amish life with tours at the Amish Farm and House. The tour allows you to witness the simplicity of the Amish by exploring farms, a vintage schoolhouse, and an animal barn. Lancaster County Central Park, at 544 acres, is the largest park in the state and features a diverse range of recreational amenities, including multiple hiking trails, an environmental center, and the Mill Creek Camping Area.
Since 1997, the American Music Theatre has entertained locals with Broadway acts, comedic presentations, music concerts, and other original shows, featuring over 300 annual performances. The 1,600-seat facility is the premier destination for the region's indoor entertainment. Lancaster is also home to the 525-bed Lancaster General Hospital, which is renowned for its patient safety and excellent clinical outcomes, as recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It offers a range of inpatient and outpatient specialty services, including cardiology, neurological care, orthopedics, and is designated a Level I Trauma Center.
Final Thoughts
From world-class healthcare systems and remarkable entertainment venues to intriguing pioneer history, the best cities to retire in Pennsylvania make the transition easy for new pensioners in the state. These cities offer retirees a rich tapestry of deeply rooted local traditions, distinctive landscapes, and everyday experiences that feel authentically local. Whether it’s lakeside living in Erie, industrial heritage turned culture in Scranton, these places reward curiosity, connection, and a more meaningful pace of life.
