List of Cities in Pennsylvania: Area, Population and Cost of Living
Pennsylvania is the 5th-most populous state, and its capital is Harrisburg. The largest city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia. There are 56 municipalities classified as cities in Pennsylvania. From picturesque farms to lush green forests and soaring mountains to rolling hills, the cities are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States.
If you plan to visit Pennsylvania, having a detailed idea about the places proves beneficial.
Currency: The standard currency is the United States Dollar. As on 7th August 2023, 1 USD is measured at 82.76 INR.
List of Cities in Pennsylvania
The state has a total of 57 cities. These cities are broken down into three different classes like first class, second class and third class depending on their connectivity to the rest of the world.
Here is a list of the top cities in Pennsylvania with all the relevant information:
First Class Cities in Pennsylvania
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 369.59 km² | 1,527,886 | $1,184.8 (One Person)/ $4,253.1 (Family of Four) |
Second Class Cities in Pennsylvania
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Pittsburgh, Allegheny | 151.1 km² | 295,793 | $1,178.5 (One Person)/ $4,223.8 (Family of Four) |
| Scranton, Lackawanna County | 66.14 km² | 75,722 | $837 (One Person)/ $2670 (Family of Four) |
Third Class Cities in Pennsylvania
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Allentown, Lehigh County | 46.65 km² | 125,890 | $724 (One Person)/ $2621 (Family of Four) |
| Reading, Berks | 40 km² | 94,570 | $762 (One Person)/ $4741 (Family of Four) |
| Erie County, Pennsylvania | 4,040 km² | 92,732 | $807 (One Person)/ $2470 (Family of Four) |
| Bethlehem, Lehigh Northampton | 10.611 km² | 75,614 | $844 (One Person)/ $2590 (Family of Four) |
| Lancaster, Lancashire | 576.2 km² | 57,088 | $588 (One Person)/ $2010 (Family of Four) |
| Harrisburg, Dauphin | 30.72 km² | 50,267 | $2,353 (One Person)/ $4,452 (Family of Four) |
| York, Southern Pennsylvania | 33.7 km² | 44,968 | $663 (One Person)/ $2301 (Family of Four) |
| Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County | 18.63 km² | 44,541 | $711 (One Person)/ $2288 (Family of Four) |
| Altoona, Blair County | 25.36 km² | 42,843 | $746 (One Person)/ $2450 (Family of Four) |
| State College, Centre County | 11.86 km² | 39,067 | $707 (One Person)/ $2328 (Family of Four) |
| Norristown, Montgomery County | 9.324 km² | 35,947 | $1385 (One Person)/ $2889 (Family of Four) |
| Bethel Park, Allegheny County | 11.67 km² | 32,349 | $876 (One Person)/ $2800 (Family of Four) |
| Chester | 2,343 km² | 32,229 | $634 (One Person)/ $2217 (Family of Four) |
| Hazleton, Luzerne | 15.47 km2 | 29,963 | $743 (One Person)/ $2438 (Family of Four) |
| Easton, Northampton | 12.59 km2 | 28,127 | $743 (One Person)/ $2437 (Family of Four) |
| Monroeville, Allegheny County | 51.08 km² | 27,761 | NA |
| Williamsport, Lycoming | 24.53 km² | 27,394 | $750 (One Person)/ $2409 (Family of Four) |
| Plum, Allegheny County | 74.95 km² | 26,413 | $744 (One Person)/ $2445 (Family of Four) |
| Lebanon, South-eastern Pennsylvania | 10.79 km² | 26,288 | $849.2 (One Person)/ $2881.7 (Family of Four) |
| Pottstown, Montgomery County | 12.79 km² | 23,346 | $741 (One Person)/ $2435 (Family of Four) |
| Chambersburg, Franklin County | 17.94 km² | 22,412 | $743 (One Person)/ $2440 (Family of Four) |
Disclaimer: The data provided for each city can vary according to the sources and is subject to change with time. This is a generalised list of cities with categorisation. Refer to government sites for more accurate details.
Interesting Facts About the Cities in Pennsylvania
The following are some interesting facts about major cities in Pennsylvania:
- Pennsylvania is the only one out of the original 13 colonies in the United States that does not border the Atlantic Ocean.
- Pennsylvania is the 6th most populous, the 9th most densely populated and the 33rd most extensive of the 50 United States. The state's four most populous cities are Philadelphia, Allentown, Pittsburgh and Erie.
- Along Lake Erie Pennsylvania has 82 km or 51 miles of coastline, while along Delaware Esttuary it has 92 km or 57 miles of shoreline.
- Edwin L. Drake began drilling oil in this state in the year 1859. Pennsylvania produced more than three-quarters of the world's oil in the year 1881. Today, Pennsylvania still produces more than one billion barrels of oil every year.
- The Pennsylvania Farm Show is one of the major festivals and one of the largest agricultural shows in the entire country. The festival attracts more than 40,000 visitors to see over 270 different exhibits.
- Hershey in Pennsylvania is the chocolate capital and headquarters for the Hershey Company. This place also has a museum and an amusement park dedicated to chocolate.
Keeping in mind all these necessary factors, now you have an idea about the important cities in Pennsylvania. When travelling to any of these cities, it is important to have a travel insurance from a reliable source. It will help you in any adverse situations that might arise during your trip to these cities.
FAQs About the List of Cities in Pennsylvania
What are the best cities to visit in Pennsylvania?
Some of the top cities to visit in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia, which is a timeless city of history, culture, and food, and Pittsburgh, which is a city with incredible museums. Moreover, you can visit Hershey, which has an amusement park with more than 75 rides for you to experience thrills, Lancaster, with historic sites and museums and Erie, with sandy beaches and fresh air.
What are some of the unique Pennsylvania cuisine you need to try?
Besides cheesesteaks, you can try scrapple, crab fries, soft pretzel, Pittsburgh salad, tomato pie, Stromboli, Altoona-style pizza, Amish friendship bread, and roast pork sandwich when visiting this state.
What is the average Pennsylvania household income?
As per records from 2021, the median household income in Pennsylvania amounted to 72,627 U.S. dollars.
What is the average annual income in Pennsylvania??
The average salary in Pennsylvania is $46,095 per year ($22.16 per hour). Entry-level positions began at $31,035 per year. However, most experienced people earn up to $108,225 per year.
Is the cost of living high in Pennsylvania?
The cost of living in Pennsylvania is 2% lower than the national average. While utilities are 8% higher, housing is 13% lower than the national average. However, when it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 0% more than the rest of the place.