Get the memo? Pennsylvania ranks as the best place in the U.S. to retire

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Published Date 11/15/2023

When you see articles that tout the “best places for (fill in the blank) to live, you have to wonder. Do people actually read about it, pull up stakes, and then move there because of what they read? Evidently, some do.

Realtor.com’s Clare Trapasso reports that the hottest place to retire in 2024 is Pennsylvania. “Forget Florida,” she says. “Seven of the 10 are in the Keystone State, according to a recent report from U.S. News & World Report. Despite not boasting the warm weather and beaches of Florida, Pennsylvania offers affordable home prices, a reasonable cost of living, and a strong health care system."

Trapasso quotes U.S. News’s finance expert Beverly Harzog: “For those near retirement and in retirement, everyone seems to be thinking about affordability,” says. This “isn’t surprising given the fact that housing prices are high right now, mortgage rates are high right now.”

Evidently, U.S. News looked at housing affordability, health care, retiree taxes, desirability, the job market, and the happiness of residents in the 150 largest metropolitan areas and came up with a list. Older Americans look for places with reasonably priced homes. But it makes you wonder if that alone is a reason to move. “Pennsylvania’s median home list price was just $296,625 in October—far below the national price of $425,000,” says Trapasso. “The state also doesn’t tax retirement income from pensions, 401(k) accounts, and individual retirement accounts. In addition, income from Social Security is tax-exempt.” They also like accessible, top-quality health care, according to Herzog. So the double-whammy of enjoying great health care, a lower cost of living while having access to larger cities are all big draws.

Trapasso says PA’s state capital of Harrisburg offers lots of outdoorsy activities, having been named the best place in the nation to retire after moving up one spot in the annual rankings. The median home price in the metro was $322,400. The city is right near Hersheypark, a popular attraction, and received high marks for its affordability, the happiness of residents, and low taxes for retirees — especially affordable for those on a fixed income.

Pennsylvania also grabs the next two spots on the list — for the cities of Reading and Lancaster. But what about people elsewhere in the U.S. either with retiree-aged parents or those entering that third trimester of life? Due to reports of this nature, can you picture them reading this research and deciding to move to Pennsylvania? While places like Florida may be losing population due to extreme weather or affordability, something tells us retiring isn’t just about all the ideal circumstances one state offers over another.

In the end, it’s about where you have “people” as well as where you want to wake up in the morning. Still, it’s an interesting read.

Realtor, TBWS

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Bobbie Jo Haggard, NMLS 92472;
Licensed to do business in Washington & Oregon.

Heartland Mortgage, Inc. NMLS# 3205; Office(509) 529-3280
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