Best small towns to live in Pennsylvania

1. 1
   Jersey Shore, PA Score 80/100

   4,121 people · typical home $153k · household income $72k · 14 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 30% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Knox, PA Score 77/100

   1,082 people · typical home $114k · household income $69k · 34 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of PA · 7.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Elysburg, PA Score 75/100

   2,492 people · typical home $242k · household income $122k · 91 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 14% of PA · 2.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Patton, PA Score 74/100

   1,809 people · typical home $94k · household income $48k · 58 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of PA · 5.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Earlston, PA Score 74/100

   1,259 people · typical home $167k · household income $78k · 17 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 51% of PA · 1.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Kittanning, PA Score 74/100

   3,902 people · typical home $101k · household income $52k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of PA · 2.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Ford City, PA Score 73/100

   2,813 people · typical home $84k · household income $58k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of PA · 5.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Meyersdale, PA Score 73/100

   2,103 people · typical home $104k · household income $66k · 102 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 21% of PA · 4.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Rimersburg, PA Score 73/100

   1,100 people · typical home $89k · household income $60k · 3 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 57% of PA · 4.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    West Kittanning, PA Score 72/100

    1,284 people · typical home $122k · household income $66k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Susquehanna Depot, PA Score 72/100

    1,297 people · typical home $83k · household income $55k · 19 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 44% of PA · 10.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Johnsonburg, PA Score 72/100

    2,424 people · typical home $62k · household income $61k · 104 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of PA · 7.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Shinglehouse, PA Score 71/100

    1,076 people · typical home $78k · household income $47k · schools in the top 34% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Lake Heritage, PA Score 70/100

    2,997 people · typical home $333k · household income $138k · 22 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Tremont, PA Score 70/100

    1,605 people · typical home $93k · household income $77k · 49 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 36% of PA · 4.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Blairsville, PA Score 70/100

    3,215 people · typical home $106k · household income $56k · 24 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    St. Clair, PA Score 69/100

    2,754 people · typical home $72k · household income $64k · 25 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 65% of PA · 2.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    DuBois, PA Score 69/100

    7,402 people · typical home $124k · household income $63k · 85 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of PA · 4.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Muncy, PA Score 68/100

    2,720 people · typical home $194k · household income $86k · 40 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of PA · 5.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Linntown, PA Score 67/100

    1,764 people · typical home $266k · household income $114k · 118 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 20% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Oakwood, PA Score 67/100

    2,253 people · typical home $118k · household income $72k · 127 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 44% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Pocono Woodland Lakes, PA Score 66/100

    3,202 people · typical home $348k · household income $119k · 2 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of PA · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Yeagertown, PA Score 66/100

    1,165 people · typical home $66k · household income $62k · 93 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 60% of PA · 2.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Ridgway, PA Score 65/100

    3,969 people · typical home $95k · household income $53k · 109 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 15% of PA · 7.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Homer City, PA Score 65/100

    1,778 people · typical home $119k · household income $65k · 6 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 49% of PA · 7.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Pennsylvania with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Pennsylvania on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Pennsylvania districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Pennsylvania →