The rich history is highlighted in landmarks like Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, and with the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains and the countryside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania offers a lot to its residents. If you are currently moving to Pennsylvania or are considering moving to Pennsylvania, you may have a budget to rent or buy a home. For example, the median home sales price for Pennsylvania was $282,900 as of April.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget. We have options that will help you find a home or apartment to do so. Redfin collects a list of eight of the most affordable locations in Pennsylvania, all of which have a median home selling price under the state’s average. From Ellie to Harrisburg, jump in and see the cities on your list.
#1: Harrisburg
Median home price: $131,100
Average selling price per square foot: $91
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,260
Median household income: $41,035
Home for Sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA Apartments
Add Harrisburg to your list of cities and see if you’re looking for an affordable location to travel to Pennsylvania. With 50,100 residents, this affordable town is a great option to add to your list. In Harrisburg, you can stop by the Pennsylvania Capitol to find the Pennsylvania State Museum, visit Broad Street Market, which is full of local vendors and fresh produce, and explore Wildwood Park.
#2: Ellie
Median home price: $142,000
Average selling price per square foot: $104
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,150
Median household income: $43,135
Erie, Pennsylvania sales
Apartments for Ellie, Pennsylvania Apartments
The median home sale price is $142,000, and Ellie is the second most affordable location in Pennsylvania. The city is home to around 92,900 people and is located along Lake Erie for picturesque views all year round. Explore the charming downtown area of Erie, check out landmarks such as the Erieland Lighthouse and Bicentennial Tower, watch shows at Warner Theatre, or visit the Erie Maritime Museum. Don’t miss out on visiting Presque Isle State Park, which has over 11 miles of beaches.
#3: Scranton
Median home price: $164,500
Average selling price per square foot: $109
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,275
Median household income: $48,776
Nearest Major Metro: Allentown (80 miles)
Scranton, Pennsylvania Home for Sale
Scranton, Pennsylvania apartments for rent
The third is Scranton, which currently houses around 75,800 residents. The median home selling price is $164,500, about $120,000 less than the median home selling price in Pennsylvania. If you’re planning on moving to the third most affordable city, explore Downtown, home to museums such as the Steamtown National Historic site, the Electric City Trolley Museum, and the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den. Check out the city’s green spaces such as Nay Aug Park and McDade Park.
#4: Reading
Median home price: $189,950
Average selling price per square foot: $127
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,482
Median household income: $42,852
Nearest Major Metro: Allentown (40 miles)
Reading, Pennsylvania home sales
Reading, Pennsylvania apartments
Reading is nothing more than a little more expensive than Scranton. With around 94,900 residents in your reading, check out landmarks such as the Reading Pagoda, Reading Public Museum and Berks History Centre. You can also explore downtown reading and find the Santander Performing Arts Center, Goggleworks Center for the Arts and Santander Arena.
#5: Allentown
Median home price: $240,000
Average selling price per square foot: $169
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,151
Median household income: $52,449
Allentown, Pennsylvania sales
Apartments for Allentown, Pennsylvania Apartments
The next list of affordable locations to live in Pennsylvania is Allentown. With a population of nearly 124,800 people, he lives in a medium-sized city, but there’s nothing to do in Allentown. Check out one of the museums, including the Allentown Museum of Art, the Da Vinci Science Center, and the Wheels Museum of America, and explore downtown Allentown, visit Allentown Farmers Market and stop by Malcolm Gross Rose Garden.
>>Read: Popular Allentown, Pennsylvania, Neighborhood
#6: Pittsburgh
Median home price: $242,250
Average selling price per square foot: $174
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,624
Median household income: $60,187
Homes for Sale in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apartments in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The sixth spot was Pittsburgh, one of the affordable locations in Pennsylvania. The “City of Brotherhood” has a population of 303,200 and has countless things to explore. For example, you can explore the Andy Warhol Museum, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Carnegie Museum, and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. You can also explore the eclectic Pittsburgh neighborhood, take in the views from the Grand View Overlook, and watch the Pittsburgh Steelers games. While living in Pittsburgh, there is a lot to do in the afternoons and weekends.
>>Read: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2025 Neighborhood
#7: Philadelphia
Median home price: $250,000
Average selling price per square foot: $200
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,824
Median household income: $57,537
Homes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA apartments
The next city on our list is nothing more than Philadelphia. This affordable area has around 1.5 million residents, making it the most populous city on our list. Once you’ve travelled to Philadelphia, visit iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Elfres Alley, Philadelphia’s Museum of African Americans, and Walnut Street Theatre. You can also check out the famous Reading Terminal Market, Belmont Plateau, South Street and the Rodin Museum. There’s always something new in Philadelphia.
>>Read: Philadelphia, PA, 2025 Neighborhood
#8: Bethlehem
Median home price: $279,900
Average selling price per square foot: $191
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,868
Median household income: $62,072
Nearest Major Metro: Allentown (6 miles)
Home for Sale in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, PA Apartments
Bethlehem concludes our list of the most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania. It has a population of about 58,300, making it a great place if you’re looking for a small town feel. Bethlehem is conveniently located just 6 miles east of Allentown, making commuting to the city easy. In Bethlehem, visit the famous Steel Stack, explore the charming downtown, take in views of Sand Island Park, and check out the Lehigh University campus.
Methodology: Every city must have more than 50,000 residents per US census and have a median home selling price under the average median home selling price in Pennsylvania. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.
