Two Pennsylvania places named among 50 best spots to live in US — neither is Pittsburgh
Two Pennsylvania locales — Lancaster and Media — received a spot among the 50 best places to live in the U.S. in 2024, according to Money magazine.
In its latest report, the personal finance publication examined cities and towns “where a thriving economy meets affordability, diversity and an exceptional quality of life.” Money magazine notably veered from past years by taking a different path toward rounding out a top 50.
“Instead of using a predetermined dataset to whittle thousands of American cities down to a ‘winning’ 50, we crafted our list from the ground up through meticulous research and in-depth reporting — paying special attention to those deeply invested in the livability, equity and sustainability of their communities,” the report’s methodology statement reads.
During the process, Money also surveyed readers and asked for suggestions using a newsletter poll that received hundreds of responses. These efforts helped some cities, including Buffalo, N.Y., and Lexington, Ky., ultimately make the cut, the report’s authors said.
Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania’s representatives among the best places to live, plus a look at the U.S. at large.
Lancaster and Media receive high praise
Money notably made sure its readers knew Lancaster was more than just Amish country. The city, which is the county seat of its namesake county, was lauded for its historic charm that fuses with big-city draws.
“At just seven square miles in area, Lancaster is highly walkable and has a fairly developed bicycling infrastructure, making it easy to ditch the car,” Money wrote in its write-up. “Historic theaters, museums and breweries dot the city as well, and traveling out of town is just as easy as getting around, with a downtown Amtrak station that takes you to Philadelphia, [Washington] D.C. or New York in a couple of hours.”
Money also praised Lancaster’s food scene, which features Greek, Thai and Vietnamese fares, among Irish pubs, homemade pie shops and locally sourced butchers. The BBQ Barn, a Pennsylvania Dutch barbecue joint in Lancaster, recently received praise as the best budget-friendly meal in the Keystone State.
“Of course, we would be remiss to ignore the Amish culture that put Lancaster on the map,” Money wrote. “Hundreds of acres of Amish farmland still surround the town, providing locals with the freshest eggs, flakiest pastries and finest quilts money can buy.”
According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, roughly 57,453 people call Lancaster home. The city holds a median home listing price of $300,000 and an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Just about an hour east, Media received praise for its status as a walkable Philadelphia suburb with plenty of parks, restaurants and good schools. Money noted the borough’s access to nearby Ridley Creek State Park, which offers miles of hiking and riding trails. Local farms also help the area access fresh and affordable produce, the magazine says.
“Media’s walkability makes most of these activities doable on foot,” Money noted. “The town shuts down vehicular traffic on State Street, its main thoroughfare, once a week during warmer months, allowing restaurants to seat outdoor diners right on the street.”
Located in Delaware County, Media is roughly a half-hour train ride away from south Philadelphia. Roughly 5,846 people live in Media, according to the Census Bureau. The borough holds a median home listing price of about $300,000 and an unemployment rate of 2.7%.
Money’s best places to live in 2024
Arkansas, Florida, Michigan and Tennessee each produced three representatives on this year’s list — the most of any single state.
Here’s a full look at Money’s Best Places to Live list for 2024, presented in alphabetical order:
- Atlanta, Ga.
- Babcock Ranch, Fla.
- Bay St. Louis, Mo.
- Bisbee, Ariz.
- Boise, Idaho
- Brevard, N.C.
- Buffalo, N.Y.
- Camas, Wash.
- Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Clarksville, Tenn.
- Covington, Ky.
- Detroit, Mich.
- Durham, N.C.
- Eugene, Ore.
- Eureka Springs, Ark.
- Fayetteville, Ark.
- Ferndale, Mich.
- Frederick, Md.
- Fruita, Colo.
- Kalamazoo, Mich.
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- La Crosse, Wisc.
- Lancaster, Pa.
- Las Cruces, N.M.
- Lawrence, Kan.
- Lexington, Ky.
- Media, Pa.
- Metuchen, N.J.
- Milford, Conn.
- New Braunfels, Texas
- Northampton, Mass.
- Northfield, Minn.
- Ogden, Utah
- Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Oneonta, N.Y.
- Pawtucket, R.I.
- Port St. Lucie, Fla.
- Portland, Maine
- Prairie Crossing, Ill.
- Richmond, Va.
- Rock Hill, S.C.
- Rogers, Ark.
- Sacramento, Calif.
- Temecula, Calif.
- Thomasville, Ga.
- Troy, N.Y.
- Tulsa, Okla.
- Ybor City (Tampa), Fla.
- Yellow Springs, Ohio
Visit money.com/best-places-to-live to learn more about this year’s list, Money’s methodology and more.
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