Welcome to the happiest places in Pennsylvania.
Using Saturday Night Science and data, we determined the cities and towns with the most rainbows, butterflies, puppies, and unicorns.
You know, the places where people have jobs, white-picked fences, and friendly neighbors – unicorn cities.
After analyzing the 189 largest cities, we happily present the happiest cities in the Keystone State.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Happiest Places In Pennsylvania
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. If you have a smile on your face, you probably live in one of these cities.
Oh, and by the way, Darby is the most miserable place in Pennsylvania.
For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:
The 10 Happiest Places In Pennsylvania For 2024
/10
Population: 40,902
Poverty Level: 42.1%
Median Home Price $377,914
Married Households 7.0%
Households With Kids 12.74%
More on State College: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
State College is by far the happiest place in the state of Pennsylvania. Let’s see why.
First off, having a solid family life is a good indication of how happy someone is. Lots of the residents of State College aren’t missing out on love; more than 7% of them are married. Plus, the average commute time here is only about 16 minutes each way. That means a lot more time with the spouse and kids.
/10
Population: 6,071
Poverty Level: 12.6%
Median Home Price $277,340
Married Households 35.0%
Households With Kids 19.63%
More on Bellefonte: Data | Cost Of Living
Things look to be pretty pleasant in Bellefonte. Crime is really low here, and the percentage of married residents (35%) mean there’s lots of stability at home.
In addition to those factors, there is a thriving amount of community involvement. Studies have shown that a key factor to happiness is when people volunteer, especially in their own neighborhoods.
/10
Population: 5,284
Poverty Level: 16.2%
Median Home Price $291,241
Married Households 9.0%
Households With Kids 12.16%
More on Lewisburg: Data | Cost Of Living
The people who live in Lewisburg have a lot going for them. 50% of them have college degrees, and they command some of the highest salaries in PA. 9% of the people here are married.
Most of these all tops in the entire state.
/10
Population: 5,630
Poverty Level: 6.8%
Median Home Price $235,946
Married Households 40.0%
Households With Kids 24.25%
More on Hollidaysburg: Data | Cost Of Living
Hollidaysburg is where you can bet there are lots of smiley and happy people all over town. Crime is essentially something that just doesn’t happen here very often. And when you can let your guard down and relax a little, the lack of stress really makes a difference.
Same goes on the job front. Only 2.7% of residents here are out of work. Sounds like there are jobs for just about everyone who wants one. Which must be a good feeling to have.
/10
Population: 11,067
Poverty Level: 4.7%
Median Home Price $339,512
Married Households 34.0%
Households With Kids 17.06%
More on Wyomissing: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
If you want to see a bunch of happy people, go to Wyomissing. It seriously looks like something out of a commercial.
They have a 20 minute commute time, which means lots more time with the kids.
/10
Population: 5,091
Poverty Level: 2.1%
Median Home Price $305,379
Married Households 31.0%
Households With Kids 20.64%
More on Clarks Summit: Data
For those who say that money doesn’t buy happiness, you’re half right. Studies have shown that people are happy up to a certain point when it comes to annual salaries, somewhere around $72,000 a year. After that, it doesn’t matter how much you make, you’re not going to be much happier.
The residents of Clarks Summit have that covered. Plus about 31% of households are married.
/10
Population: 5,930
Poverty Level: 8.0%
Median Home Price $210,038
Married Households 38.0%
Households With Kids 19.91%
More on Moosic: Data | Cost Of Living
Most of the people in Moosic have to be plum’ happy. True happiness is Home Sweet Home’ with your kids and spouse, being reminded to do chores, run errands and fold the clothes right.
/10
Population: 12,836
Poverty Level: 32.0%
Median Home Price $230,927
Married Households 13.0%
Households With Kids 20.93%
More on Bloomsburg: Data | Cost Of Living
Less than 5.4% of the residents in Bloomsburg are jobless, which is just about as low as you’ll see.
Incomes are steady, and commute times are really low as well. That really takes away the stress factors that stop folks from relaxing and enjoying their down time’ to do the little things that matter: Walks in the park, time alone with a book and extra face time with the children.
/10
Population: 20,846
Poverty Level: 18.9%
Median Home Price $293,109
Married Households 19.0%
Households With Kids 25.38%
More on Carlisle: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
About 39% of residents in Carlisle, PA have a college degree. While we’ve all heard the saying, Ignorance is bliss,’ our argument is: Ignorance is also broke.
Not only are most of the residents of Carlisle smart, they’re safe, too.
/10
Population: 16,216
Poverty Level: 12.3%
Median Home Price $201,258
Married Households 41.0%
Households With Kids 23.48%
More on Hermitage: Data | Cost Of Living
In Hermitage, most of the population is married, and most own their own homes.
The commute times (19 minutes each way) might eventually start to turn the corners of those smiles sideways.
But for now, it’s all roses in Hermitage.
Methodology: How We Measured The Happiest Cities In The Keystone State
To rank the happiest places in Pennsylvania, we had to determine what criteria make people happy. It isn’t a stretch to assume that happy people earn great salaries, are relatively stress-free, and have a stable home life.
So we went to the Census’s American Community Survey 2018-2022 report for the happy criteria, added some Saturday Night Science, and generated the answer.
Here are the criteria we used to measure happiness:
- Percentage of residents with a college degree
- Average commute times
- Unemployment rates
- Cost of living
- % of married couples
- % of families with kids
- Poverty rate
After we decided on the criteria, we gathered the data for the 189 places in Pennsylvania with over 5,000 people.
We then ranked each place from one to 189 for each of the seven criteria, with a score of one being the happiest.
Next, we averaged the seven rankings into a Happy Index for each place with the lowest overall Happy Index “earning” the title “Happiest City In Pennsylvania.”
If you’d like to see the complete list of cities, happiest to saddest, scroll to the bottom of this post to see the unabridged chart.
We updated this article for 2024, and it’s our tenth time ranking the happiest cities in Pennsylvania.
There You Have It – The Happiest Cities In Pennsylvania
As we said earlier, trying to determine the most miserable cities in Pennsylvania is usually a subjective matter.
But if you’re analyzing cities where people are not stable, where you’re stuck in traffic, and no one spent the time to go to college, then this is an accurate list.
The happiest cities in Pennsylvania are State College, Bellefonte, Lewisburg, Hollidaysburg, Wyomissing, Clarks Summit, Moosic, Bloomsburg, Carlisle, and Hermitage.
If you’re curious enough, here are the most miserable cities in Pennsylvania, according to science:
- Darby
- Duquesne
- Collingdale
For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania
- Cheapest Places To Live In Pennsylvania
- Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania
- Richest Cities In Pennsylvania
- Safest Places In Pennsylvania
- Worst Places To Live In Pennsylvania
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Pennsylvania
Happiest Cities In Pennsylvania For 2024
| Rank | City | Population | Poverty Level | Median Home Value | % Married | % Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State College, PA | 40,902 | 42.1% | $377,914 | 7.0% | 12.74% |
| 2 | Bellefonte, PA | 6,071 | 12.6% | $277,340 | 35.0% | 19.63% |
| 3 | Lewisburg, PA | 5,284 | 16.2% | $291,241 | 9.0% | 12.16% |
| 4 | Hollidaysburg, PA | 5,630 | 6.8% | $235,946 | 40.0% | 24.25% |
| 5 | Wyomissing, PA | 11,067 | 4.7% | $339,512 | 34.0% | 17.06% |
| 6 | Clarks Summit, PA | 5,091 | 2.1% | $305,379 | 31.0% | 20.64% |
| 7 | Moosic, PA | 5,930 | 8.0% | $210,038 | 38.0% | 19.91% |
| 8 | Bloomsburg, PA | 12,836 | 32.0% | $230,927 | 13.0% | 20.93% |
| 9 | Carlisle, PA | 20,846 | 18.9% | $293,109 | 19.0% | 25.38% |
| 10 | Hermitage, PA | 16,216 | 12.3% | $201,258 | 41.0% | 23.48% |
| 11 | Lititz, PA | 9,559 | 3.7% | $393,606 | 39.0% | 28.49% |
| 12 | West Chester, PA | 19,016 | 21.0% | $582,975 | 10.0% | 13.19% |
| 13 | New Cumberland, PA | 7,515 | 10.9% | $259,360 | 37.0% | 22.37% |
| 14 | Selinsgrove, PA | 5,710 | 6.2% | $228,076 | 18.0% | 15.56% |
| 15 | Conshohocken, PA | 9,182 | 4.5% | $431,765 | 33.0% | 16.82% |
| 16 | Somerset, PA | 6,030 | 16.3% | $196,767 | 32.0% | 24.25% |
| 17 | Millersville, PA | 8,426 | 26.6% | $308,678 | 15.0% | 23.69% |
| 18 | Archbald, PA | 7,316 | 9.7% | $217,444 | 50.0% | 32.29% |
| 19 | Gettysburg, PA | 7,709 | 12.7% | $316,650 | 12.0% | 17.28% |
| 20 | Oakmont, PA | 6,734 | 4.0% | $301,656 | 41.0% | 22.11% |
| 21 | Mount Joy, PA | 8,274 | 10.8% | $253,752 | 39.0% | 25.22% |
| 22 | Nazareth, PA | 6,015 | 16.9% | $384,744 | 27.0% | 28.9% |
| 23 | Dunmore, PA | 14,082 | 9.2% | $210,287 | 32.0% | 24.5% |
| 24 | Camp Hill, PA | 8,133 | 4.9% | $291,977 | 32.0% | 38.24% |
| 25 | Mechanicsburg, PA | 9,402 | 5.5% | $356,612 | 30.0% | 24.99% |
| 26 | South Williamsport, PA | 6,246 | 11.9% | $179,562 | 39.0% | 20.31% |
| 27 | Economy, PA | 9,063 | 5.0% | $265,781 | 49.0% | 22.99% |
| 28 | Indiana, PA | 14,082 | 24.6% | $178,749 | 16.0% | 18.49% |
| 29 | Pittsburgh, PA | 303,843 | 19.4% | $224,210 | 18.0% | 17.45% |
| 30 | Swoyersville, PA | 5,021 | 7.4% | $174,911 | 45.0% | 13.4% |
| 31 | Phoenixville, PA | 18,723 | 10.1% | $466,022 | 23.0% | 23.57% |
| 32 | Elizabet, PA | 11,805 | 8.0% | $249,780 | 33.0% | 26.14% |
| 33 | Kingston, PA | 13,317 | 18.8% | $190,124 | 25.0% | 24.7% |
| 34 | Carnegie, PA | 8,067 | 10.6% | $208,311 | 29.0% | 16.47% |
| 35 | Coraopolis, PA | 5,510 | 14.8% | $274,445 | 27.0% | 24.72% |
| 36 | New Holland, PA | 5,734 | 5.7% | $358,363 | 36.0% | 29.18% |
| 37 | Doyle, PA | 8,305 | 4.1% | $554,941 | 23.0% | 23.16% |
| 38 | Lower Burrell, PA | 11,701 | 5.7% | $189,351 | 47.0% | 22.39% |
| 39 | Castle Shannon, PA | 8,283 | 8.3% | $189,973 | 30.0% | 16.17% |
| 40 | Blakely, PA | 6,646 | 6.5% | $188,158 | 36.0% | 18.71% |
| 41 | Old Forge, PA | 8,506 | 7.3% | $189,084 | 40.0% | 20.84% |
| 42 | Greensburg, PA | 14,876 | 15.4% | $218,993 | 31.0% | 18.76% |
| 43 | Warren, PA | 9,353 | 12.5% | $140,726 | 29.0% | 23.22% |
| 44 | Grove City, PA | 7,908 | 11.1% | $207,464 | 22.0% | 24.72% |
| 45 | Bethlehem, PA | 76,555 | 18.3% | $311,453 | 16.0% | 23.52% |
| 46 | Huntingdon, PA | 6,904 | 13.2% | $188,109 | 27.0% | 25.45% |
| 47 | Perkasie, PA | 9,130 | 7.5% | $464,524 | 38.0% | 28.35% |
| 48 | Whitehall, PA | 14,909 | 8.8% | $243,992 | 39.0% | 22.23% |
| 49 | Bellevue, PA | 8,236 | 7.5% | $184,640 | 23.0% | 15.59% |
| 50 | Collegeville, PA | 5,172 | 5.1% | $512,844 | 24.0% | 21.14% |
| 51 | West View, PA | 6,660 | 6.6% | $217,210 | 41.0% | 28.94% |
| 52 | Jefferson Hills, PA | 12,296 | 3.0% | $312,878 | 50.0% | 28.48% |
| 53 | Dormont, PA | 8,199 | 8.5% | $211,309 | 30.0% | 18.21% |
| 54 | Dubois, PA | 7,509 | 9.7% | $158,273 | 33.0% | 24.91% |
| 55 | Palmyra, PA | 7,783 | 15.7% | $304,233 | 28.0% | 32.47% |
| 56 | Emmaus, PA | 11,644 | 7.0% | $333,847 | 39.0% | 33.67% |
| 57 | Berwick, PA | 10,318 | 18.1% | $179,801 | 33.0% | 27.1% |
| 58 | Media, PA | 5,860 | 3.8% | $558,498 | 20.0% | 14.87% |
| 59 | Hatboro, PA | 8,176 | 7.9% | $404,554 | 36.0% | 33.74% |
| 60 | Shippensburg, PA | 5,688 | 13.0% | $174,313 | 20.0% | 20.83% |
| 61 | Ambler, PA | 6,775 | 8.1% | $611,302 | 29.0% | 34.05% |
| 62 | Columbia, PA | 10,203 | 16.5% | $250,459 | 30.0% | 19.76% |
| 63 | Fox Chapel, PA | 5,299 | 1.2% | $971,545 | 33.0% | 42.05% |
| 64 | Birdsboro, PA | 5,106 | 11.8% | $294,777 | 45.0% | 27.59% |
| 65 | Williamsport, PA | 27,755 | 25.4% | $185,379 | 22.0% | 27.54% |
| 66 | Chambersburg, PA | 21,917 | 13.7% | $257,534 | 20.0% | 28.22% |
| 67 | St. Marys, PA | 12,691 | 9.0% | $158,992 | 46.0% | 16.84% |
| 68 | Brentwood, PA | 9,982 | 13.2% | $165,365 | 30.0% | 22.05% |
| 69 | Franklin Park, PA | 15,305 | 3.3% | $495,135 | 38.0% | 40.97% |
| 70 | Canonsburg, PA | 9,672 | 4.2% | $328,096 | 34.0% | 25.34% |
| 71 | Prospect Park, PA | 6,411 | 15.5% | $266,876 | 34.0% | 31.13% |
| 72 | Ephrata, PA | 13,738 | 9.3% | $231,736 | 36.0% | 30.87% |
| 73 | Plum, PA | 27,032 | 3.2% | $225,948 | 48.0% | 29.1% |
| 74 | Lansdale, PA | 18,727 | 8.3% | $455,524 | 25.0% | 31.88% |
| 75 | Crafton, PA | 6,044 | 6.8% | $204,534 | 37.0% | 18.08% |
| 76 | Shillington, PA | 5,458 | 18.5% | $226,975 | 36.0% | 31.48% |
| 77 | Pleasant Hills, PA | 8,456 | 4.2% | $246,154 | 42.0% | 27.97% |
| 78 | White Oak, PA | 7,585 | 8.9% | $180,169 | 40.0% | 13.24% |
| 79 | Punxsutawney, PA | 5,730 | 19.7% | $104,157 | 33.0% | 20.44% |
| 80 | Exeter, PA | 5,509 | 11.4% | $208,115 | 27.0% | 22.97% |
| 81 | Franklin, PA | 6,066 | 17.6% | $120,040 | 35.0% | 23.92% |
| 82 | Duryea, PA | 5,047 | 9.7% | $173,579 | 40.0% | 21.9% |
| 83 | Butler, PA | 13,387 | 21.7% | $229,441 | 25.0% | 22.55% |
| 84 | Stroudsburg, PA | 5,897 | 12.3% | $323,097 | 11.0% | 20.81% |
| 85 | Ridley Park, PA | 7,152 | 6.4% | $282,363 | 38.0% | 28.41% |
| 86 | Altoona, PA | 43,821 | 19.3% | $135,104 | 36.0% | 27.68% |
| 87 | Downin, PA | 8,088 | 5.2% | $335,348 | 29.0% | 32.36% |
| 88 | Helle, PA | 6,109 | 4.8% | $251,823 | 32.0% | 23.7% |
| 89 | Northampton, PA | 10,341 | 9.1% | $299,547 | 33.0% | 26.75% |
| 90 | Olyphant, PA | 5,372 | 9.6% | $203,135 | 32.0% | 30.32% |
| 91 | Souderton, PA | 7,169 | 9.4% | $416,204 | 35.0% | 34.5% |
| 92 | Erie, PA | 94,826 | 24.3% | $168,333 | 23.0% | 26.7% |
| 93 | Manheim, PA | 5,028 | 11.2% | $240,588 | 42.0% | 38.71% |
| 94 | Middl, PA | 9,525 | 16.0% | $164,326 | 25.0% | 26.19% |
| 95 | Washington, PA | 13,358 | 19.4% | $208,813 | 19.0% | 18.88% |
| 96 | New Kensington, PA | 12,163 | 19.4% | $157,212 | 35.0% | 21.4% |
| 97 | Baldwin, PA | 21,266 | 7.5% | $199,620 | 36.0% | 28.47% |
| 98 | Monaca, PA | 5,587 | 15.0% | $176,838 | 37.0% | 27.5% |
| 99 | Scranton, PA | 76,119 | 19.6% | $158,353 | 23.0% | 27.42% |
| 100 | Munhall, PA | 10,738 | 13.3% | $133,350 | 32.0% | 19.15% |