Rentberry’s Pick: Great Places to Rent in Pennsylvania

There are plenty of reasons why people move to Pennsylvania. This state has stunning nature, beautiful all year round, excellent health care, and an affordable housing market. It also has something to offer to every newcomer, from students and young professionals searching for career opportunities to recent retirees in need of a quieter life.

Of course, when you decide to move to another city (or even state), you want to find a place that will satisfy all your requirements and where you can be your best self. To help you choose the best place to live and rent in Pennsylvania that will be right just for you, we’ve prepared this list, taking into account the cost of living, the job market, and housing trends.

Pittsburgh

Median property value: $134,800
Median rent: $1,427
Population: 300,431
Median household income: $50,536

Living in Pittsburgh will be a safe bet if you’re searching for a relatively large city and need all amenities that come with urban life. In recent years, Pittsburg has received many accolades as a great place to call home for multiple reasons. For example, U.S.News ranked the city as one of the best places to live in 2022, while Forbes named Pittsburgh the number one housing market in the country for baby boomers.

Of course, these claims are fact-based: Pittsburgh offers wonderful education and job opportunities, access to excellent healthcare, and plenty of things to do and see. All this is topped with the low cost of living compared to other similar cities in neighboring states. 

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Thanks to its diversity, everyone will feel like they belong — no matter their race, age, or sexual orientation. Of course, there are some neighborhoods that might work for some people better than others. For example, we would recommend young families take a closer look at Regent Square and Squirrel Hill. Singles and young professionals might enjoy living in Strip District and Downtown, while older people should turn their attention to a calmer Point Breeze.

Harrisburg

Median property value: $85,500
Median rent: $1,266
Population: 50,135
Median household income: $41,831

With a population of little over 50 thousand people, Harrisburg is the 15th largest city in the state. As the capital of Pennsylvania, it would be a perfect place for anyone pursuing a career in the government and public sectors. 

Living and renting in Harrisburg, you can expect a small-town feel, affordable cost of living, and reasonably priced housing. The town is rather quiet, so it will be perfect for you if you are looking for a cozy place to settle away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. But if you ever need something you can’t find in Harrisburg, Allentown and Philly are just a short drive away!

Philadelphia

Median property value: $171,600
Median rent: $2,346
Population: 1,576,251
Median household income: $49,127

Our list of the top places in Pennsylvania would be incomplete without its largest city, Philadelphia. Of course, everyone knows about its rich history: after all, this is where the Declaration of Independence was signed! However, apart from that, Philly is full of culture, boasts an amazing arts scene, and has some of the best sports teams. 

The city would be the best place to live in Pennsylvania for students and those pursuing an academic career: it’s a true educational hub with many top-notch colleges and universities, such as Drexel University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

We won’t argue that living and renting in Philly might not be right for everyone — after all, it might seem a bit messy and hectic for people who seek quiet life in a smaller town. What’s more, certain neighborhoods of the city can be quite dangerous, and the reputation of the place with a high crime rate scares off some of those looking for the best place to relocate in Pennsylvania. But Philly has plenty of great features we’ve discussed earlier, so it takes its well-deserved spot on your list as a place great for growth and full of opportunities. 

You can also check out our guide on the suburbs of Philadelphia, if you want to escape Philly’s fast pace, but enjoy everything this city has to give.

Allentown

Median property value: $135,800
Median rent: $1,493
Population: 125,944
Median household income: $43,816

A beautiful place on the Lehigh River, Allentown is a great example of how cities can grow and evolve over time. In the 19th century, it was an industrial town and a major hub for iron production, but later it lost its popularity and went into depression. Recently, Allentown has reinvented itself, and the local authorities are working hard to attract new businesses and redevelop Center City. 

Some major industries here include manufacturing, e-commerce, transportation, and healthcare, with large employers such as Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products, and PPL Corporation.

Allentown offers a perfect combination of the low cost of living with good quality of life. Our bet is that it’s one of those cities that are yet to be discovered by people flocking to hip areas. So, if you are considering moving to Allentown, right now might be the best time to take a leap!

Lancaster

Median property value: $127,500
Median rent: $1,514
Population: 57,503
Median household income: $49,628

Lancaster is a gem on Pennsylvania’s map. This city offers its residents an excellent mix of a smaller-town feel combined with everything you might need for a comfortable everyday life. Living in Lancaster, you’ll be surprised by how green this town is, with an abundance of parks, trails, and farms that always offer their produce at the Lancaster Central Market.

The city boasts some excellent places for an evening out as well. You can head to the Fulton Theater (the oldest working theater in the US) or check out one of Lancaster’s charming restaurants and coffee shops. Families with kids will be happy to know there are a few amusement parks in the area: Hersheypark and Dutch Wonderland being just two of them. Finally, Lancaster is conveniently positioned between Philadelphia and Baltimore, so you can always take a weekend trip to one of the larger cities. Or, drive a bit further and visit New York City or Washington D.C.

Reading

Median property value: $79,500
Average rent: $1,599
Population: 94,844
Median household income: $35,745

Reading is another place you should seriously consider if you’re looking for a nice place to live in Pennsylvania. Like almost every city and town in Pennsylvania, Reading is filled with history. It’s the most well-known thanks to the Reading Railroad, which was one of the largest corporations in the US at the end of the 19th century. 

The first thing that drives people to take a closer look at this town is its affordable cost of living and renting (or purchasing) a property. But there are many more reasons why you might want to call Reading your next home. Even though it’s the fourth most populated city in the state with almost 100,000 inhabitants, life in Reading is fairly quiet and slow-paced. The city has miles of beautiful trails for cycling and hiking, charming parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and many places for a nice evening out.

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This article was created by our editorial team and represents Rentberry’s subjective views on the best places to live in Texas. We took into consideration factors such as quality of life, career and growth opportunities, and cost of living.

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Allentown, PAHarrisburg, PALancaster, PAPhiladelphia, PAPittsburgh, PAReading, PA