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Key Takeaways
- Hermitage, Johnstown, and Altoona are the top three Pennsylvania towns that made our list of the 50 best places to retire in the U.S. this year.
- When choosing a retirement destination, factors like cost of living, health care access, and lifestyle amenities play a crucial role.
- Pennsylvania doesn’t tax pensions, Social Security income, or retirement account withdrawals.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, consider Pennsylvania. It offers an attractive mix of urban and small-town living, affordability, access to quality health care, and proximity to major metros.
Earlier this year, Investopedia compiled a list of 50 of the best cities to retire in across the U.S., using data that has been shown to be important to retirees like cost of living and access to things like travel, health care, and entertainment. After analyzing the data, three Pennsylvania cities stood out as the best for retirees in that state: Hermitage, Johnstown, and Altoona.
Pennsylvania as a Prime Retirement Destination
Let’s start with the statewide benefits of retiring in Pennsylvania:
- Tax advantages: Pennsylvania doesn’t tax Social Security income, pensions, or retirement account withdrawals.
- Health care access: Pennsylvania has strong hospital networks, especially in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and surrounding regions.
- Lifestyle options: Pennsylvania offers four seasons, vibrant cultures, and easy access to mountains, forests, and lakes.
- Lower cost of living: The cost of living in Pennsylvania is a little lower than the national average and other neighboring states in the Northeast.
Here’s how the cost of living in Pennsylvania stacks up against the national average based on Q2 2025 survey data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center:
| Pennsylvania | National Average | |
| Housing | 87.6 | 100.0 |
| Groceries | 98.0 | 100.0 |
| Utilities | 107.4 | 100.0 |
| Healthcare | 91.6 | 100.0 |
| Transportation | 102.4 | 100.0 |
These 3 Pennsylvania Towns Offer Retirees Attractive Perks
Next, let’s explore what’s uniquely attractive about Hermitage, Johnstown, and Altoona.
Hermitage
- County median home value: $153,600
- County median monthly cost of living: $784 for housing, $1,243 for transportation, and $631 for food
- Population size: 16,230, with 27.7% aged 65 years and older
- Number of nearby hospitals: 11
- Number of nearby health care centers: 276
Located about halfway between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Hermitage is a small town with big benefits. For one, housing is very affordable, with a median home value of $153,600. (The national median is $410,800.) Plus, the town offers ample health care access with 276 nearby health facilities and 11 nearby hospitals.
Among other attractions, Hermitage retirees can enjoy the country’s only free golf course, Buhl Farm Park, and a state-of-the-art food waste-to-energy facility.
Johnstown
- County median home value: $115,900
- County median monthly cost of living: $711 for housing, $1,189 for transportation, and $622 for food
- Population size: 18,411, with 19.8% aged 65 and older
- Number of nearby hospitals: 6
- Number of nearby health care centers: 266
Johnstown is another small town in Pennsylvania that has much to offer, including a world-class polka festival and a Christmas parade.
In addition, the cost of living in Johnstown is hard to beat. The median housing cost is just $711 per month. There are also many health care options, including six nearby hospitals and 266 nearby healthcare establishments.
Altoona
- County median home value: $156,700
- County median monthly cost of living: $852 for housing, $1,163 for transportation, and $620 for food
- Population size: 43,963 with 17.3% aged 65 and older
- Number of nearby hospitals: 12
- Number of nearby healthcare centers: 293
Altoona is the most populous city of our top three places in Pennsylvania to retire. It has nearly 44,000 residents, 17.3% of whom are 65 and older. Meanwhile, the median home value is $156,700, and there are nearly 300 nearby health care centers.
Some popular Altoona attractions for retirees include city parks, walking trails, and local restaurants.
Fast Fact
If you like to ski, you can also enjoy the nearby Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, the highest skiable mountain with the most challenging slopes in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania Town Is Best For You?
While Hermitage, Johnstown, and Altoona each have their charm, they differ in important ways.
For example, Altoona is a small city with nearly 44,000 residents, while Hermitage and Johnstown are smaller towns with fewer than 19,000 residents each. Meanwhile, Johnstown’s housing is more affordable than the other two areas, with a median home value of $115,900.
| At-a-Glance: Retirement in Pennsylvania’s Top Cities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | Nearby Health Care Facilities | Lifestyle Highlight | |
| Hermitage | $153,600 | 276 | Country’s only free golf course |
| Johnstown | $115,900 | 266 | World-class polka festival |
| Altoona | $156,700 | 293 | Nearby ski resort with best slopes in PA |
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, Pennsylvania is one of the most attractive U.S. retirement destinations, thanks to its affordable cost of living, strong health care access, and tax policies that are friendly to retirees.
Whether it’s Johnstown’s small-town charm or Altoona’s wide mix of amenities, retirees can find the right fit based on their budget, lifestyle, and health care needs. These are affordable places that offer a high quality of life in a state that is tax-friendly to retirees.
