Forbes says 2 PA cities are among top 25 best affordable places to retire in US
Two Pennsylvania cities were recently named some of the best affordable U.S. cities for retirement.
Forbes released its list of 25 best retirement locations in America May 9, ranking cities based on factors like median home prices, income tax rates, Social Security benefits, overall livability and more.
Bethlehem, about three hours from State College, and Pittsburgh, about 2 and a half hours from State College, both made the list.
As of July 2024, Bethlehem’s population sat around 79,453, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
With a reported median home price of $334,000, Forbes selected Bethlehem because of its relatively low cost of living, which is 3% below the national average. It also got positive marks for walkability, air quality, low crime rate, climate, state income tax rate and more. It also has above-average primary care physicians per capita, according to the ranking.
The Centre Daily Times reached out to Bethlehem tourism for comment.
Bethlehem is a college town, home to two private universities: Lehigh University and Moravian University. Lehigh was one of three Pennsylvania universities recently named among the most beautiful college campuses by Condé Nast Traveler.
In other recent accolades, USA Today named Bethlehem’s main street among the best in the U.S. in 2025, citing walkability, multiple dining options and history.
The median income for the area is around $66,443 in 2023 dollars, with a 15.8% poverty rate, according to Census figures.
Pittsburgh, the other Forbes pick for the best affordable retirement locales, has an even lower median home price at $231,000, 43% below the national median. According to the Census Bureau, its population sat at 307,668 in July 2024, with a median household income of $64,137.
In addition to the low median home price, Forbes also gave positive notes Pittsburgh’s ratio of primary care doctors per capita, its walkability as well as bikeability, its flat income tax and Social Security benefits and retirement income.
The Centre Daily Times reached out to Visit Pittsburgh for comment.
Pittsburgh’s poverty rate sits at 19.5%.
The city is home to Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and Chatham University. It most recently made Lonely Planet’s list of best travel destinations in 2025.
Forbes’ best affordable places to retire in 2025
Here’s a full list of the best U.S. cities to retire in 2025, from Forbes:
- Apache Junction, Arizona
- Athens, Georgia
- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- College Station, Texas
- Columbia, Missouri
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Iowa City, Iowa
- Lawrence, Kansas
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Newark, Delaware
- Pasco, Washington
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Rochester, Minnesota
- San Antonio, Texas
- Savannah, Georgia
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Spokane, Washington
- Tucson, Arizona
- The Villages, Florida
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Winchester, Virginia
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
