Best counties to retire to in Pennsylvania

Written by:
February 1, 2021
Douglas Muth // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Pennsylvania

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Pennsylvania using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Pennsylvania.

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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Mifflin County

- Population: 46,362
- Median home value: $109,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $665 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $47,526
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#24. Lackawanna County

- Population: 211,454
- Median home value: $149,700 (65% own)
- Median rent: $779 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $50,875
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#23. Mercer County

- Population: 112,630
- Median home value: $119,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $679 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $48,768
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Rina Pitucci // Flickr

#22. Dauphin County

- Population: 274,515
- Median home value: $165,200 (63% own)
- Median rent: $922 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $58,916
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Bucks County

- Population: 626,370
- Median home value: $323,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,207 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $86,055
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Generic1139 // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Washington County

- Population: 207,547
- Median home value: $162,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $746 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $61,567
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Publichall // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Northumberland County

- Population: 92,325
- Median home value: $115,200 (71% own)
- Median rent: $653 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $47,063
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Ruhrfisch (talk) // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Union County

- Population: 45,114
- Median home value: $180,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $743 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $56,026
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Beaver County

- Population: 166,896
- Median home value: $133,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $682 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $55,828
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Juniata County

- Population: 24,562
- Median home value: $145,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $663 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $52,765
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Andrew Rodland // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Wayne County

- Population: 51,536
- Median home value: $181,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $816 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $54,851
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Lebanon County

- Population: 138,674
- Median home value: $169,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $844 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $59,114
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ESB Professional // Shutterstock

#13. Allegheny County

- Population: 1,225,561
- Median home value: $147,700 (65% own)
- Median rent: $865 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $58,383
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Nicholas // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Crawford County

- Population: 86,164
- Median home value: $110,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $658 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $49,144
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Delaware County

- Population: 563,527
- Median home value: $239,600 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,055 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $71,539
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Clearfield County

- Population: 80,216
- Median home value: $94,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $633 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $47,270
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Nicholas // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Sullivan County

- Population: 6,177
- Median home value: $151,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $628 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $47,346
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Nicholas // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Potter County

- Population: 16,937
- Median home value: $105,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $683 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $42,821
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#7. Westmoreland County

- Population: 354,751
- Median home value: $148,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $709 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $58,866
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Nicholas // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Warren County

- Population: 40,035
- Median home value: $95,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $594 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $48,409
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Canadian2006 // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Bedford County

- Population: 48,611
- Median home value: $128,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $680 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $49,146
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#4. Blair County

- Population: 123,842
- Median home value: $120,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $711 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $47,969
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#3. Cumberland County

- Population: 247,433
- Median home value: $197,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $973 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $68,895
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Douglas Muth // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Montgomery County

- Population: 821,301
- Median home value: $305,800 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,253 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $88,166
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Montour County

- Population: 18,294
- Median home value: $181,500 (69% own)
- Median rent: $742 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $57,183

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