Top 10 Cheapest Place to Live in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 140 miles of waterfront along the Delaware River and Lake Erie.

Before the Second World War, Pennsylvania was a major industrial center for steel, coal, and railroads. It is also known for its leading mushroom production.

Pennsylvania’s cost of living is lower than the national average. There are also some things that are less expensive than the average in other states.

A cost of living index of less than 100 means that Pennsylvania is cheaper compared to the US average.

Pennsylvania offers a variety of opportunities and a high quality of life. While smaller towns and cities don’t offer as much as the big cities, they still have plenty of opportunities.

Oil City

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 9,846
  • Cost of Living: 82/100

Average Home Price

Oil CityPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$58K$181k$218k
Average Rent$612$9381,062
Average Income$39,750$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

Oil CityPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8299100
Groceries109103100
Health9294100
Housing3691100
Transportation119109100
Utilities114111100

Oil City was originally a borough that merged with another city in 1871. It became a city after becoming the hub of Pittsburgh’s crude oil transportation industry.

Oil City’s overall crime rate of 14 per thousand residents is near the average for all US cities and towns. There is not a lot of crime in Oil City. It is just a great safety in the area.

In Pennsylvania, Oil City has been named the most affordable place to live. According to a survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, the cost of living in Oil City was lower than in most areas in the state.

Pottsville

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 13,648
  • Cost of Living: 80/100

Average Home Price

PottsvillePennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$72K$181k$218k
Average Rent$659$9381,062
Average Income$42,083$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

PottsvillePennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8099100
Groceries91103100
Health9094100
Housing4691100
Transportation103109100
Utilities109111100

Pottsville is a city in Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 13,346.

Due to its proximity to the Schuylkill River, the city developed a small textile industry. This industry eventually led to the Phillips Van Heusen Company.

According to a report by Realtor.com, Pottsville is one of the most affordable places to live in the country. The site noted that the median home price in the area was $230,000.

Located in Pennsylvania’s Pottsville, this town has a great mix of country and city life. There are few recreational activities to do in the evening hours.

Greenville

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,459
  • Cost of Living: 83/100

Average Home Price

GreenvillePennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$74K$181k$218k
Average Rent$659$9381,062
Average Income$45,159$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

GreenvillePennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8399100
Groceries103103100
Health9894100
Housing4891100
Transportation93109100
Utilities94111100

Greenville is a borough located in Pennsylvania’s Mercer County. It became a home rule municipality on January 1, 2020.

Located in Pennsylvania’s Shenango County, Greenville was known for its various manufacturing interests. Some of these included railroad shops, bridges, and gristmills.

While it has some issues with some residents, the overall quality of life in East Greenville is peaceful.

West Mifflin

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 19,834
  • Cost of Living: 88/100

Average Home Price

West MifflinPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$99K$181k$218k
Average Rent$640$9381,062
Average Income$52,679$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

West MifflinPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8899100
Groceries109103100
Health9294100
Housing5491100
Transportation119109100
Utilities114111100

Mifflin is a borough located in Pennsylvania’s York County. It was named after Thomas Mifflin, the 1st Governor of the state.

Home prices in West Mifflin have gone down significantly over the years, but the average home price to income ratio still remains significantly lower than the Pennsylvania average.

West Mifflin is a good suburb with plenty of businesses to choose from. However, it lacks diversity and is not very eco-friendly.

Warren

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 9,191
  • Cost of Living: 82/100

Average Home Price

WarrenPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$82K$181k$218k
Average Rent$597$9381,062
Average Income$42,939$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

WarrenPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8299100
Groceries96103100
Health8594100
Housing4991100
Transportation98109100
Utilities96111100

Warren is a city in Pennsylvania, United States. It is located along the Allegheny River.

Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Warren has a rich history and is known for its architectural heritage. The city has 21 parks and a variety of shops and restaurants.

The chances of being a victim of crime in Warren are 1 in 47. Its crime rate is higher than the state’s overall average.

Warren is a great place to live after retiring. The town has plenty of golf courses and social events for the older generation.

Brentwood

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 9,386
  • Cost of Living: 90/100

Average Home Price

BrentwoodPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$99K$181k$218k
Average Rent$764$9381,062
Average Income$58,303$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

BrentwoodPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall9099100
Groceries109103100
Health9294100
Housing6091100
Transportation119109100
Utilities114111100

Brentwood is a borough in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County.

Compared to other places in Pennsylvania, Brentwood’s cost of living index is 0.9x lower than the state’s index. Brentwood’s crime rate is 13 per 1,000 residents, which makes it near the average for all cities in the U.S.

Brentwood has a lot of parks and bars in the area. The average home price in Brentwood is around $100k. The public schools in the area are also above average.

Sugarcreek

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,014
  • Cost of Living: 85/100

Average Home Price

SugarcreekPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$77K$181k$218k
Average Rent$601$9381,062
Average Income$42,315$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

SugarcreekPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8599100
Groceries109103100
Health9294100
Housing4591100
Transportation119109100
Utilities114111100

Sugarcreek is a borough located in Pennsylvania’s Venango County. Its population was 5,294 during the 2010 census.

Sugarcreek Borough was named as one of the most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania. Its crime rate is slightly higher than the state average.

Franklin

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 6,148
  • Cost of Living: 85/100

Average Home Price

FranklinPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$86K$181k$218k
Average Rent$599$9381,062
Average Income$43,828$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

FranklinPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8599100
Groceries109103100
Health9294100
Housing4491100
Transportation119109100
Utilities114111100

Franklin is a city in Pennsylvania, United States. Its population in the 2018 census was 6,078.

In 1860, James Evans, a blacksmith, discovered oil in a well in Pennsylvania. Two years later, Franklin became the hub of an oil region that produces more than 2 million barrels of oil annually.

Franklin, PA is a great place to live due to its unique characteristics. There are many schools in the area and it is safe.

Schuylkill Haven

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,178
  • Cost of Living: 82/100

Average Home Price

Schuylkill HavenPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$94K$181k$218k
Average Rent$633$9381,062
Average Income$48,125$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

Schuylkill HavenPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8299100
Groceries91103100
Health9094100
Housing5391100
Transportation103109100
Utilities109111100

Schuylkill Haven is a borough in Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill County, United States. It is located along the river that is named after it.

Schuylkill Haven’s population was 5,437 in 2010, and it is a great place to live and work due to its great atmosphere and the many potential businesses that exist in the area.

Clearfield

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,921
  • Cost of Living: 86/100

Average Home Price

ClearfieldPennsylvaniaUSA
Average Home Value$85K$181k$218k
Average Rent$640$9381,062
Average Income$44,563$61,744$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

ClearfieldPennsylvaniaUSA
Overall8699100
Groceries109103100
Health9294100
Housing4791100
Transportation119109100
Utilities114111100

As the first borough to become a county, Clearfield has a rich history. The area is known as the Old Town Historic District. Located in Pennsylvania’s Clearfield County, this town has a population of 5,921.

Clearfield, Pennsylvania, is a town with a population of 5,911. Its residents are mostly conservative and live in a suburban setting.