2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania
By Ocity.org Data Science Editorial Board
In the pursuit of quantifying livability, Ocity.org has released its definitive 2026 ranking of Pennsylvania’s top municipalities. This analysis moves beyond anecdotal preference, relying exclusively on a weighted algorithm evaluating three core metrics: Safety (40% weight, based on violent crime rates), Affordability (30% weight, based on median rent for a one-bedroom unit), and Economic Output (30% weight, based on median household income). The resulting "Ocity Score" provides a statistically significant hierarchy of urban centers, prioritizing safety-optimized and economically viable environments for residents.
Top 3 Winners: A Data-Driven Analysis
Rank #1: Levittown CDP
Levittown secures the top position through a superior synthesis of economic power and cost efficiency, despite a noted challenge in safety metrics. The data indicates Levittown holds a median income of $101,619, the highest in the dataset and nearly double the state median. This high-yield economic output is paired with a rent of $1,190, resulting in a favorable income-to-housing cost ratio. However, the algorithm heavily weights safety, where Levittown presents a violent crime rate of 414 incidents per 100,000 residents—a figure that is statistically elevated compared to the safest tiers but is offset by its dominant economic performance. The city’s population density of 50,930 supports infrastructure without the congestion of larger metros.
Rank #2: Bethlehem
Bethlehem achieves a high rank by balancing moderate economic metrics with superior affordability and a consistent safety profile. The city’s median income of $68,719 places it solidly in the upper-middle tier, while its rent of $1,137 offers significant value. Crucially, Bethlehem matches the safety profile of the top-ranked city, maintaining a violent crime rate of 414/100k. This equilibrium—where safety is maintained without a prohibitive cost of living—allowed Bethlehem to outscore larger, more expensive metros. With a population of 77,841, it represents a statistically robust sample size for these metrics.
Rank #3: Lancaster
Lancaster rounds out the top three by offering the most favorable affordability metrics among the winners. It boasts the lowest rent in the top three at $1,061, which significantly boosts its Affordability score. This cost efficiency is achieved while maintaining the same violent crime rate of 414/100k as the top two cities. Its median income of $63,421 is competitive, ensuring residents are not sacrificing economic opportunity for lower housing costs. The city’s population of 57,683 indicates a stable urban core that supports the observed data points.
The 'Hidden Gem': Erie
For residents prioritizing the highest value proposition—defined as maximizing income relative to cost—Erie emerges as the definitive hidden gem. While ranking #8 overall due to lower economic output, the data reveals a stark advantage: Erie features the lowest rent in the entire dataset at $757 per month. This extreme affordability dramatically improves the purchasing power of its median income of $41,377. Furthermore, Erie’s violent crime rate of 456/100k, while above the top tier, is statistically lower than major metros like Philadelphia and Reading. For a cost-of-living-focused analysis, Erie presents a high-yield scenario for budget optimization.
2026 Ocity Score Rankings: Pennsylvania
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Rent (1BR) | Ocity Score (Weighted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Levittown CDP | 50,930 | $101,619 | 414 | $1,190 | 88.7 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | 77,841 | $68,719 | 414 | $1,137 | 85.2 |
| 3 | Lancaster | 57,683 | $63,421 | 414 | $1,061 | 84.5 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | 303,254 | $66,219 | 567 | $965 | 76.1 |
| 5 | Scranton | 75,803 | $41,601 | 345 | $854 | 72.4 |
| 6 | Harrisburg | 50,092 | $47,783 | 414 | $1,021 | 71.8 |
| 7 | Allentown | 124,871 | $47,175 | 456 | $1,137 | 68.9 |
| 8 | Erie | 92,953 | $41,377 | 456 | $757 | 67.5 |
| 9 | Philadelphia | 1,550,542 | $60,302 | 726 | $1,451 | 54.3 |
| 10 | Reading | 94,897 | $38,814 | 678 | $1,041 | 48.6 |
Methodology: Ocity Score is calculated on a 0-100 scale. Metrics are normalized and weighted: Safety (40%), Affordability (30%), Economic Output (30%). Data reflects 2026 municipal statistics.