Yes, Pennsylvania can be a good place to retire if you want affordable housing or have family and friends nearby in East Coast cities. If you enjoy history, you’ll love exploring Pennsylvania’s important role in the country’s past. Plus, there are no taxes on retirement income, which can help your budget.
On the other hand, living in Pennsylvania has some downsides. The weather changes with all four seasons, which might not suit everyone. Air quality can also be an issue in some urban areas, and there aren’t any beaches if you like spending time by the ocean.
This article will help you figure out if moving to Pennsylvania is a good choice for you. It explains the pros and cons so you can decide what’s best for your retirement.
What You’ll Learn
This article discusses the latest data to help you understand what retirement may look like in the Keystone State. You will discover:
Why retirees move to Pennsylvania to spend their golden years
What drawbacks exist when settling down in the Keystone State
Other important factors to consider when retiring in the state
Summary
Pros of Retiring in Pennsylvania
Tax-friendly for Retirees
Pennsylvania does not tax Social Security benefits or income from retirement plans. Plus, the income tax rate is a flat 3.07 percent, which is relatively low. Some towns do have their own local income taxes, but overall, you won’t face high taxes. Sales taxes are also relatively low.
These tax policies mean:
More income for other expenses: Tax savings can be used for costs such as healthcare, travel, and entertainment.
More income stability: This helps you plan ahead.
Affordable Cost of Living
In late 2024, the average home price in Pennsylvania is about $265,421. That’s much lower than nearby New York’s average of over $458,000 and also less than the U.S. average of over $419,000.
There are other factors helping keep the cost of living in Pennsylvania down, such as:
Groceries: The average weekly grocery bill per household in the state is $249, lower than the national average of $270.
Utilities: According to ConsumerAffairs, Pennsylvania healthcare costs rank among the lowest in the country.
Quality Healthcare
Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the U.S. for healthcare access, according to Forbes. This is because the state has a high number of doctors available for its residents. For every 10,000 people, there are more primary care physicians and specialists compared to many other states, making it easier to see a doctor when needed.
Senior-friendly healthcare facilities are found across the state, including in:
Hershey: The Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is nationally recognized in geriatrics, neurology, and multiple other adult specialties.
Philadelphia: The Penn Presbyterian Medical Center runs specialized programs for senior health, such as the Penn Memory Center.
Variety of Retirement Communities
Pennsylvania has 291 Continuing Care Facilities, often called “retirement communities,” according to the state’s Department of Insurance. In rural areas, there are 87 of these communities, while urban areas have 204.
With over 200 options, you can find a place that fits your needs. You might choose independent living if you want freedom, assisted living for extra help, memory care for special support, or continuing care communities for long-term plans.
Some cities that are home to numerous retirement communities include:
Lancaster: The city features more than 30 senior living communities, anchored by top‑rated Willow Valley on a sprawling 210‑acre campus.
Pittsburgh: The City of Bridges has more than 100 senior living communities.
Diverse Cultural and Historical Attractions
If you love history, Pennsylvania has plenty to offer. You can visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Or you can explore the Gettysburg battlefield, a key site from the Civil War. There’s also Elfreth’s Alley, where homes from 1703 to 1836 are still standing. Philadelphia alone has over 60 National Historic Landmarks.
Other notable attractions include:
Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, built over a waterfall, draws roughly 160,000 visitors per year.
Philadelphia Museum of Art: One of the largest and most visited art museums in the U.S., it attracts more than 700,000 visitors annually.
Access to Major East Coast Cities
If you’re in Pennsylvania, especially Philadelphia, you’re close to many big cities on the East Coast. Philly is just 75 miles from Newark in New Jersey, 81 miles from New York City, and 123 miles from Washington, D.C. You can drive, but you also have Amtrak’s Acela Train. This train stops in other major cities like Boston, Providence, Baltimore, and Wilmington. It makes traveling easy and fast.
The travel times from Philadelphia to New York City are less than two hours, depending on what transport option you use:
By train: One hour and 11 minutes.
By bus: One hour and 30 minutes.
By car: One hour and 55 minutes.
Numerous Outdoor Attractions
Pennsylvania has many beautiful lakes, like Raystown, Promised Land, and Tuscarora Lakes. You can enjoy fun activities there, such as kayaking, fishing, and even ice-skating in the winter.
For scenic drives, head to Pittsburgh — the ‘City of Bridges,’ with 446 in total — where you can enjoy exploring the historic Steel City by car or motorcycle.
Other sites that offer a relaxing outdoor experience are:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: This wild bird sanctuary near Orwigsburg has sweeping ridgetop views and migrating raptors from ADA-accessible trails with benches.
Longwood Gardens: This Kennett Square-based public garden contains numerous fountains, flowers, and conservatories on flat paths with ample seating and shaded areas.
Cons of Retiring in Pennsylvania
Harsh Winters
Winters in Pennsylvania can be very cold and snowy. In January, daytime temperatures usually stay around 31°F, and at night, they can drop to about 19°F in many places. Most areas get between 24 and 40 inches of snow during the winter.
Major winter storms can worsen conditions. For example, in January 2025, a snowstorm dropped 8 to 12 inches of snow in eastern Pennsylvania, causing power outages and hazardous driving conditions.
Preparing for winters means:
Insulating your home: Consider sealing all gaps around windows and doors.
Delay driving, if possible: Stay off the roads until plows and salt trucks finish clearing.
Dense Traffic Conditions
Traffic is a common issue among metropolitan cities across the country, and the biggest cities in Pennsylvania are no exception. In Philadelphia, drivers lose about 77 hours per year stuck in traffic. In Pittsburgh, commuters lose roughly 43 hours annually.
Rush‑hour delays frequently raise commute times, slow deliveries, and increase fuel usage. This makes it crucial to:
Plan trips during off-peak hours: Rush hours in Philadelphia, for example, run from about 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. That leaves the stretch between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. as off‑peak.
Use shared transportation: One example is the Shared-Ride program, which provides Philadelphia residents ages 65 and up with a door-to-door ridesharing service within the city.
Limited Air Quality
The state sometimes experiences elevated air pollution in major metro areas. In Philadelphia, smog or fine‑particle levels rise periodically, occasionally reaching unhealthy thresholds on hot days. Meanwhile, Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, exhibits similar sporadic ozone and soot alerts. Pittsburgh’s industrial counties also encounter seasonal episodes of poor air quality.
If you experience respiratory issues, you may need to:
Sign up for real-time air quality alerts: Resources like AirNow.gov provide information on how clean or polluted the air is in your area.
Improve indoor air quality: Use HEPA or high‑MERV air filters to reduce unwanted fine particles.
High Property Taxes
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are higher than the national average. To illustrate, people in the state pay about 1.4% of their home’s value in property taxes, while the national average is about 1.02%. In Philadelphia, the tax rate is around 1.4%. In Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located, the rate is closer to 2.2%, which is one of the highest in the state.
Managing this may involve:
Renting out a portion of your property. This can help offset your property tax bill.
Downsizing into a smaller property. This can lower your property taxes.
No Ocean Beach Access
The state isn’t completely landlocked because it can connect to the Atlantic Ocean through Lake Erie or Delaware Bay. But it doesn’t have any ocean beaches. If you’re looking for sandy shores and ocean waves, you’ll need to leave the state. Places like the Atlantic coastline offer those classic beach experiences, but they aren’t available in Pennsylvania.
Nearby beaches include:
Cape May: This New Jersey town blends classic Atlantic Ocean beaches with Victorian elegance, including a bustling boardwalk, a historic lighthouse, and wide, sandy expanses.
Rehoboth Beach: This Delaware town features clean swimming beaches, an animated family‑friendly boardwalk full of arcades and dining, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Unique Alcohol Sale Laws
Buying alcohol in Pennsylvania can be more restrictive than in many other states. You can’t purchase wine or spirits at grocery or convenience stores. Only state‑run Fine Wine & Good Spirits shops can sell you liquor, and only for a limited time. Even beer purchases are capped by volume, at 192 ounces per transaction.
Getting around this can mean:
Using FWGS.com to check real-time stock. The website also allows you to place orders.
Buying directly from breweries, distilleries, or wineries. Check which businesses sell their product.
Final Thoughts: Retiring in Pennsylvania
Retiring in Pennsylvania offers meaningful financial perks, cultural richness, and access to quality healthcare. While weather, taxes, and traffic may pose challenges, the state’s affordability and proximity to family-friendly cities make it a strong contender. Consider your lifestyle preferences to decide if Pennsylvania fits your vision for retirement.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the prevalence of deer and other wildlife in certain parts of Pennsylvania impact retirees, particularly gardening or property maintenance?
Deer overpopulation in suburban Pennsylvania often devastates gardens and shrubs, as well as increases maintenance costs and cleanup. Wildlife such as ticks also raises health risks. You may need to install fences and use repellents to protect your property.
What are the unique historical reenactment opportunities or cultural festivals in Pennsylvania that retirees could participate in or attend?
You can join Gettysburg Civil War reenactments at Gettysburg National Military Park. There’s also the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope Estate, complete with period costumes, jousting, artisan crafts, and audience‑participatory theatre.
What are the benefits of retiring in Pennsylvania compared to neighboring states like New Jersey or New York?
The state doesn’t tax most retirement income and has a flat 3.07% income tax. Compared to places like New York and New Jersey, housing and living costs are usually lower in Pennsylvania.
Are there any specific “age-friendly” initiatives or certifications for towns and cities in Pennsylvania that indicate a commitment to supporting older residents?
Pennsylvania became an AARP Age‑Friendly State in August 2024. Cities and counties like Pittsburgh, York County, and Lehigh Valley also joined the AARP Age‑Friendly Network. This means they are working to make their communities better for older adults.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws, regulations, and local conditions are subject to change without notice. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking appropriate professional counsel, especially in financial and legal matters.
