What to Know Before Moving to Pennsylvania

Everyone seems to know something about Pennsylvania. History buffs can recite Philadelphia facts, sports fans can regale you with key moments in Eagles or Steelers history, while others know about the Amish people of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Some prize the food culture, as in the Philly cheesesteak or Hershey’s Chocolate World.

As you look closer at the state, it’s clear there’s much to know about moving to Pennsylvania. It’s a big state to cover, but that also means endless opportunities to build your perfect life await. So let’s plunge into learning about the Keystone State.

Pennsylvania Fast Facts

The first colonial settlements here date to 1643. Pennsylvania became a state in 1787, giving it a long and storied history in colonial America.

It’s nicknamed the Keystone State because of its central location in the original 13 colonies. Other monikers include Oil State, Coal State, and Quaker State.

Pennsylvania is considered part of the Mid-Atlantic region, although its western border touched Midwest states like Ohio.

Pennsylvania’s 283 miles span three distinct geographical regions: the Mid-Atlantic, the Appalachians, and the Great Lakes.

The state has a population of almost 13 million people (as of 2022) and covers an area of 46,058 square miles.

Pennsylvania isn’t technically a state but a “Commonwealth,” just like Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

Pennsylvania’s Regions

Pennsylvania’s diverse topography and wide span mean there’s a lot of territory to cover. Depending on who you ask, the state is divided into 5-11 regions. Here are a few regions as identified by their tourism bureau:

Philadelphia Metro

The Philadelphia metro is the most densely populated part of the state. It’s situated on a small strip of Atlantic Coastal Plain in southern Pennsylvania, beside the Delaware River. With 1.6 million people, it’s the largest city in the state.

Dutch Country

Geographically, south-central Pennsylvania Dutch Country touches the Great Valley and the Appalachian Mountains. It’s famous for having the highest concentration of Dutch Amish, descendants of German immigrants seeking religious freedom. Rolling hills and friendly people distinguish the area.

Upstate PA

The state’s northeast corner runs along the New York border. It features many lakes, mountains, and forests, making it a getaway vacation destination.

Pittsburgh Metro

This southwest region is known for its steel and industrial history. Pittsburgh marks the beginning of the Appalachian Plateau, which extends to West Virginia. Its”Steel City” is the state’s second-largest city.

Alleghenies

The Allegheny Mountains run through the central part of the state. It’s known for its ski resorts, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is here.

Pennsylvania Wilds

As the name suggests, the 2.2 million acres in the north-central part of Pennsylvania are abundant with state parks and forests. It is known for its unspoiled outdoor recreational opportunities. Be aware of deer hunting season.

Great Lakes

The northwest corner abuts Lake Erie, famous for the canal of the same name. Find a mix of industrial cities and rural countryside dotted with lakes and rivers.

Where else can you go in Pennsylvania? Find even more regions to explore, like the Laurel Highlands, Pocono Mountains, Lehigh Valley, and Susquehanna regions.

Major Cities in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is the biggest city by population in Pennsylvania. “City of Brotherly Love” blends its deep historical roots with a modern, bustling urban atmosphere. It played a significant role in colonial America. Today it’s an epicenter for education, world-class museums, and finance. Among the northeast cities, it has more affordable housing than New York or Boston but is still connected through an extensive public transportation network.

Pittsburgh, the second largest city, is one more the more affordable cities based on similarly sized cities. Three rivers come together to create a striking skyline. Its industrial past has evolved into an energetic city with major education centers, art museums, and a lively sports culture. The culinary scene includes a thriving beer culture.

Allentown lies inside the beautiful Lehigh Valley. The city played a vital role in the iron and steel industries, with the development of the Lehigh Canal spurring economic growth. The revitalizing town has attractions like the Allentown Art Museum, Coca-Cola Park, and the PPL Center. A significant role during the American Industrial Revolution

Erie combines stunning views of the Great Lake, a prime Midwest vacation spot, and a strategic port. Its low cost of living is another benefit. For those who love winter, you’ll get the distinct seasons of warm summer and deep, lake-effect snow.

Harrisburg earned honors as the best place to retire in the US in 2024. The state’s capital city has incredible access to a wide range of outdoor recreation with the Susquehanna River running through downtown. The Appalachian Trail and other hiking destinations are in the hills nearby. It may not be as populated as the major cities, but it has a well-rounded quality of life.

Cost of Living

Pennsylvania’s average cost of living is slightly lower than the national average, coming in at about 4% under based on Sperling’s Best Places Index. The MERIC cost of living index agrees, placing Pennsylvania’s cost of living smack dab in the middle at 25 in the first quarter of 2024. It is estimated a single adult needs $45,651 per year to live here, combining the average housing, health care, food, and utility costs. Actual expenditures will vary based on where you move to in Pennsylvania and your lifestyle.

The higher costs were in transportation, health care, and miscellaneous. Overall, housing costs came in 20% below average, but that will vary greatly depending on where you live in the state. The good news is Pennsylvania has many affordable cities, especially for their housing costs. For example, the July 2024 average home price in Philadelphia was $215,000, but it was $325,000 in Lancaster.

Job Opportunities

Pennsylvania’s overall job market is a mixed picture. In July 2024, it had a 3.4% unemployment rate, compared to the nation’s reported 4.3%. US News and World Report felt it had room to grow, ranking its economic opportunity as no. 28.

Historically, Pennsylvania was known for its industrial and agricultural outputs. Coal and steel production, paired with the railroad industry, were key to the state’s growth. So has growing commodities like mushrooms.

But coal and steel’s influence as waned, even if it is still present. Today it’s more diverse as it seeks to stabilize and encourage economic growth. Pennsylvania gave itself the nickname “Snack Food Capital of the World,” partly due to its high snack consumption but also because of 2,300+ companies specializing in food processing based in the state. Those include the world-famous Hershey’s, Turkey Hill, and Snyder’s of Hanover.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s affordability is turning it into a hot startup scene, particularly in the tech industry. For example, the “Peregrine” lunar lander was developed by a Pittsburgh company. Education, life sciences and research, and financial services dominate in Philadelphia. Ten of the country’s largest law firms also operate out of Philadelphia. There’s a robust federal government presence thanks to entities like the US Mint and a division of the Federal Reserve Bank. Statewide, manufacturing makes up 10% of all jobs.

To show the diversity of Pennsylvania’s job opportunities, a few of the top employers based on the number of employees include:

• Giant Food Stores
• Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
• United Parcel Service (UPS)
• PNC Bank
• Wal-Mart
• The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania
• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
• Wawa

Pennsylvania Education

The brightest spot in the state’s learning profile is pre-K-12 education, where US News and World Report ranked the state no. 22. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversaw 500+ school districts. Like all states, the quality varies widely. There are nationally recognized districts and individual schools that deliver rigor and student support. For example, Julia R. Masterman Secondary School in Philadelphia ranked fourth nationally in 2024. Downingtown STEM Academy in Downingtown, PA, ranked 46th nationally.

For higher education, the ranked last in 2024. But don’t let that deter you, as Pennsylvania has some of the top-ranked universities in the nation! The right educational opportunities for college students are there despite this low ranking.

The renowned University of Pennsylvania is often cited as one of the best in the world. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, it was sixth nationally on the US News and World Report and is well-known for its Wharton School of Business. Other top programs are in Nursing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences. Carnegie Mellon University, a private school in Pittsburgh, has leading colleges for business, computer science, and fine arts. Other top 100-ranked schools included:

• Lehigh University
• Villanova University
• University of Pittsburgh
• Pennsylvania State University-University Park campus
• Temple University
• Drexel University

As you can see, Pennsylvania does deliver high education quality for college students. With so many top-ranked schools, why the low ranking? The metrics are based on two-year and four-year graduation rates, on-time completions, and student debt burden. Unfortunately, the four-year graduation rate was low, while tuition and fees were high.

Real Estate Market

One of the benefits of a state this big is its diversity in the housing market. Buyers can find historic downtown lofts, single-family homes in suburbia, or rural homesteads where they can escape the hectic city life.

Pennsylvania’s lower-than-average cost of living is partly thanks to the real estate market. According to Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, the median home sale price in June 2024 was $312,000, a year-over-year 6% increase. That is much lower than the national average of $426,900.

Of course, the actual average cost varies and there may be seasonality in the prices. Check out the list median prices for different parts of Pennsylvania in July 2024:

• Philadelphia: $284,900
• Pittsburgh: $265,900
• Allentown: $335,000
• Lancaster: $350,000
• Harrisburg: $265,000
• Erie: $189,000

Moving to Pennsylvania is a big decision, and finding the right place to live is even more so. A local real estate expert can help you narrow down your home search and find the right quality of life.

Pennsylvania Taxes

Whether your tax burden improves when moving to Pennsylvania depends on where you’re coming from. It falls close to the national average tax burden. The state income tax rate is a flat from 3.07% for residents, nonresidents employed in the state, and income from estates, trusts, S-corporations, and LLCs not federally taxed as a corporation. Social security benefits are not taxed.

Sales tax is set at 6%, but local counties can levy up to an additional 2%. For example, Allegheny County charges an additional 1% while Philadelphia charges another 2%.

Real estate taxes vary widely across the state, but homeowners typically paid 1.49% of their housing value in 2024, ranking the state the ninth highest.

Weather

Pennsylvania has four distinct seasons. Don’t move there without expecting inches of snow in the winter! Fluctuations in the temperature range from 28F in the winter to 86F in July.

Summers can bring humid days, with sunshine and hot weather. A variety of weather patterns roll through in the spring, with periods of rain or cool air. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can and do occur. Fall could be dry or wet; expect a cool-down period late fall into winter as the snow starts falling in parts of the state.

Southeast Pennsylvania will naturally be the warmest. If you’re near the Great Lakes, expect some heavy lake-effect snows. Storms can drop a blanket of snow, so you’ll want to be prepared for digging out. Elevation can also impact the actual seasons you experience. But on the whole, this is a true four-season state.

Pennsylvania Safety Measures

Overall, Pennsylvania’s crime rate for property and violent crimes is below the national average. It has the thirteenth-lowest property crime rate in the nation. Some of its cities with the lowest overall crime rates are Hampden Township, Mount Lebanon, and West Mifflin.

Flooding is the most significant natural disaster risk in the state because of the many flowing rivers. Flash floods can happen quickly after heavy rainfalls or rapid snowmelt.

Outdoor Recreation

Pennsylvania prides itself on having top-notch outdoor recreation year-round. Over half its land is national parks, state parks, and forests. The state has its own “Grand Canyon” and direct Lake Erie access.

Winter months are perfect for skiing and snowboarding on some of the most popular slopes in the East. Select from 21 different ski resorts to shred the mountain or cross-country ski.

Summertime brings more reasons to get out into nature. Try camping at one of the many sites across the state to swimming or boating at any number of lakes or rivers. The state counted 650 trails spanning 12,000 miles, so chances are high there’s probably a hiking or biking trail near you no matter where you live.

Don’t forget about its world-class fishing spots. Catch anything from trout in Allegheny mountain streams to bass in the Susquehanna River. Take a lazy multi-day canoe/camping trip or simply a day of leisurely boating on one of the many lakes.

Cultural Scene

If you’re into American history, visiting Pennsylvania is a must. Philadelphia has countless museums and historic sites, from the Liberty Bell to the Declaration of Independence. Stop at Gettysburg National Military Park, the pivotal Civil War Battle site where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. Valley Forge National Park is in King of Prussia and reconstructs where the Continental Army wintered.

See how midcentury tycoons lived with a tour of Carnegie Mansion in Pittsburgh. The art museums are definite bucket lists, like the Andy Warhol Museum.

In the Amish Country around Lancaster County, take a trip back to simpler times. The friendly Amish people welcome you to visit their restaurants, quilt shops, and furniture stores. Their handmade goods are known for their quality.

Get ready to eat when moving to Pennsylvania. Foodies have multiple stops in the state. Hershey’s Chocolate World, the nation’s oldest brewery, and searching for the best Philly cheesesteaks are small slices of the whole food scene. America’s love of pretzels got started near Lititz. Remember, this is the “Snack Capital of the World,” so be prepared to try and experience all kinds of cuisine.

The arts have a strong presence in the state, too. You can visit the Andy Warhol Museum or its Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh. Philadelphia has multiple art venues, with recommended locations being The Rodin, the Barnes Foundation, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Locals love street festivals like the Milton Fringe Festival in Central Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Flower Show is the United States’ longest-running horticulture event. Harrisburg’s PA Farm Show is another huge event, this time around agriculture. And who could forget about Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day?

Pennsylvania Sports

If you’re a sports fan, move to Pennsylvania, and you can attend Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Steelers, and Penguins games. There are seven professional sports teams, from hockey to the NFL, and the fans are dedicated! Bleacher Report listed Philadelphia as the no. 3 city for sports fans in part due to the city’s staunch support of its local teams. Pittsburgh was on its heels at no. 8!

Plus, alumni and students are avid supporters of the college teams at Villanova University and Penn State. Year-round, you’ll stay busy supporting the local athletic talent.

Why Move to Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is a great choice whether you move for work, school, or just to enjoy the lifestyle and scenery. From its history and culture to its outdoor recreation, Pennsylvania delivers on a high quality of life. A cost of living that is below average paired with education and economic opportunities means you can truly “pursue your happiness” when moving to Pennsylvania.