Find Your Place in Pennsylvania
Compare the Pennsylvania places we cover, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and find a starting point that fits your commute, pace, and tolerance for winter.
Alyssa, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Alyssa is a PA lifer who has moved so often she's learned to never give away boxes after a move. After 12 moves throughout the state, she's learned that every Pennsylvania town has opinions, mostly about hoagies, traffic, which gas station chain you are loyal to, and how to properly use the second person plural pronoun to address a group of people (hint: it is NOT "you all"). She knows the cultural borders between Philly, Pittsburgh, and the Central T and can pronounce Wilkes-Barre, Schuylkill, and Duquesne without tripping over her tongue. She spends her free time threading yarn, tearing through novels (200/year), and feeding a house full of Star Wars loving kids. At Snappy Scout, Alyssa converts a lifetime of Pennsylvania knowledge into usable PA wisdom... so youse need to listen up!
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
Which Pennsylvania City Fits You?
The inside scoop on each city's vibe, housing, and the stuff locals swear by.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is perfect for: big city grit, rowhome pride, and neighborhood loyalty.
Widely recognized as the place for: Eagles Sundays, public art, and a Museum for every interest
City as a personality: stubborn friend who argues, then feeds you to bursting
Locals live here because: rowhouse mortgages, biotech gigs, SEPTA everywhere
Nothing's more Philadelphia than: water (woo-der) ice debates and midnight Wawa runs
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, perfect for: tech paychecks, cheap pierogis, three river views—behold the Allegheny, Monongahela, and mighty Ohio.
Well known for: bridges, Steelers lore, proud neighborhood fiefdoms
If Pittsburgh were a person, it'd be: gritty engineer baking cookies for the block
Move here for: affordable houses, research jobs, shockingly short commutes
Locals know best: Primanti sandwiches at 2 am. Coleslaw and fries on top, no plate needed.
Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley is perfect for: Philly paychecks with backyard space and sanity
Best known for: warehouses, commuter badge flexing, and Musikfest (ten days in August, free stages everywhere, zero excuses to miss it).
Lehigh Valley in human form is: ambitious suburbanite hoarding Wegmans points—seriously, it's a religion here.
Locals live here because: good schools, new builds, easy Jersey hop
Nothing's more Lehigh Valley than: Friday lights and pierogis at church basements
Harrisburg-Hershey
Harrisburg-Hershey: state jobs, chocolate breeze, small town pace. The streetlights are shaped like Hershey Kisses, not even joking.
Widely recognized as the place for: politics by day, Little League by night
City as a personality: budget analyst with a sweet tooth
Move here if you want: steady paychecks, suburban yards, easy Turnpike access
Locals swear by: Softball at dusk and Broad Street Market (the oldest continuously operating market in the country).
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre is perfect for: Real mortgages, mountains right there, and Office memes—Dunder Mifflin tourists are real!
Best known for: coal roots, hardy families, diner coffee loyalty
If Scranton-Wilkes-Barre were a person, it'd be: no-nonsense aunt with a karaoke mic
Locals live here because: cheap housing, highway hops, neighbors who shovel
Locals know best: Friday fish fry and church bazaars. Catholic guilt is not required, but it helps.
Lancaster
Lancaster is perfect for: city energy, farm views, and surprisingly great coffee
Well known for: Amish buggies meeting hipster breweries. You'll get stuck behind a horse on Route 30; just accept it.
Lancaster in human form is: a craftsman woodworker with a cold brew
Move here for: walkable blocks, healthcare gigs, chill pace
Nothing's more Lancaster than: farmers' market hauls and porch chats. Central Market has been running since 1730—the oldest in the US!
State College
State College, perfect for: college town buzz minus big city hassles
Widely recognized as the place for: football weekends and lifelong alumni neighbors. 107,000 people ina town of 40,000—good luck finding parking.
City as a personality: cheer captain who aces calculus
Move here if you want: safe streets, research jobs, endless youth energy
Locals swear by: Spring Arts Fest and Grilled Stickies from Ye Olde College Dinner, cash only, no debate.
Eating Like a Local in Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
— Alyssa Kruse
Pennsylvania Local Expert
Ready to See If Pennsylvania Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Pennsylvania guide for the bigger picture.