With its rich history highlighted in landmarks like Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains and Lancaster County’s countryside, Pennsylvania has much to offer to its residents. If you’re currently living in or are considering moving to Pennsylvania, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under for renting or buying a home. For example, the median home sale price in Pennsylvania is $298,600 as of August.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has gathered a list of the 10 most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania, and they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Williamsport to Harrisburg, let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
#1: Williamsport
Median home price: $115,000
Average sale price per square foot: $59
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $805
Median household income: $41,190
Nearest major metro: Scranton (90 miles)
Williamsport, PA homes for sale
Williamsport, PA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $115,000, Williamsport is the most affordable place to live in Pennsylvania. About 27,800 people live in this city and is roughly 90 miles from the nearest metropolitan city, Scranton. Living in Williamsport, you can stroll along the Susquehanna Riverwalk, see the historic Victorian mansions and churches along Millionaires’ Row, and watch a baseball game at Historic Bowman Field.
#2: Bloomsburg
Median home price: $125,000
Average sale price per square foot: $66
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,302
Median household income: $41,035
Nearest major metro: Scranton (50 miles)
Bloomsburg, PA homes for sale
Bloomsburg, PA apartments for rent
Pennsylvania’s second most affordable city to live in is Bloomsburg. When living in this city of 12,700 people, you can check out the Bloomsburg County Park along the river, visit the Bloomsburg Fair, and explore the downtown area.
#3: St. Marys
Median home price: $125,000
Average sale price per square foot: $69
Median household income: $54,950
Nearest major metro: Erie (100 miles)
St. Marys, PA homes for sale
St. Marys, PA apartments for rent
Third is St. Marys where about 12,700 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $125,000 which is about $170K less than the median home sale price in Pennsylvania. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable city, make sure to explore the charming downtown area with shops and restaurants.
#4: Altoona
Median home price: $147,450
Average sale price per square foot: $90
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,100
Median household income: $41,035
Nearest major metro: Pittsburgh (100 miles)
Altoona, PA homes for sale
Altoona, PA apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than St. Marys is none other than Altoona. With roughly 43,900 residents in Altoona, make sure to visit one of the many parks in town, check out Baker Mansion History Museum and Railroaders Memorial Museum, or grab a bite at a local spot.
#5: Harrisburg
Median home price: $178,995
Average sale price per square foot: $108
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,210
Median household income: $41,035
Harrisburg, PA homes for sale
Harrisburg, PA apartments for rent
Consider adding Harrisburg to your list of cities to check out if you’re looking for an affordable place to move to in Pennsylvania. Home to 50,100 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. In Harrisburg, you can stop by the Pennsylvania State Capitol where you’ll find the State Museum of Pennsylvania, visit the Broad Street Market filled with local vendors and fresh produce, and explore Wildwood Park.
#6: Chambersburg
Median home price: $220,000
Average sale price per square foot: $160
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $840
Median household income: $46,924
Nearest major metro: Hagerstown, MD (20 miles)
Chambersburg, PA homes for sale
Chambersburg, PA apartments for rent
Another noteworthy city is Chambersburg, where the home prices are about $75K less than the state’s average. With roughly 21,900 people calling Chambersburg home, it’s a great area to consider living in this year. There’s lots of activities to do in this city. For example, you can visit downtown Chambersburg where you’ll find local restaurants, shops, and museums like The Old Jail, stroll along the Chambersburg Rail Trail, or stop by one of the parks, among many other local favorites.
#7: Progress
Median home price: $240,000
Average sale price per square foot: $132
Median household income: $61,563
Nearest major metro: Harrisburg (4 miles)
Progress, PA homes for sale
Progress, PA apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable places to live in Pennsylvania is Progress. With a population of nearly 11,200, you’ll be living in a mid-sized city, but there is no shortage of things to do in Progress. Be sure to spend some time outside like walking along the Capital Area Greenbelt.
#8: Carlisle
Median home price: $259,900
Average sale price per square foot: $153
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,382
Median household income: $49,557
Nearest major metro: Harrisburg (25 miles)
Carlisle, PA homes for sale
Carlisle, PA apartments for rent
If you’ve been living in Pennsylvania for some time, you’ve maybe heard about Carlisle. This affordable area is home to approximately 20,100 residents. Once moving to Carlisle you’ll want to visit parks like Dickinson Park or Thornwald Park, and check out the museums, shops, and restaurants in town.
#9: Colonial Park
Median home price: $263,950
Average sale price per square foot: $183
Median household income: $54,628
Nearest major metro: Harrisburg (5 miles)
Colonial Park, PA homes for sale
Colonial Park, PA apartments for rent
Another great place to consider living in in Pennsylvania is Colonial Park where the population is about 16,200. Colonial Park is conveniently located just 5 miles east of Harrisburg and some things to do in Colonial Park include enjoying a picnic at Brightbill Park.
#10: Shiloh
Median home price: $275,500
Average sale price per square foot: $133
Median household income: $64,336
Nearest major metro: Harrisburg (26 miles)
Shiloh, PA homes for sale
Shiloh, PA apartments for rent
Taking the 10th spot is Shiloh, another one of the affordable places to live in Pennsylvania. This city has a population of 11,200 and you can see a movie, go shopping, or spend time outside at one of the parks in town. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in Shiloh.
Methodology: All cities must have over 10,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Pennsylvania. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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