Surprisingly, this riverside city is an ideal place to retire.

The Top Retirement Cities in Pennsylvania

According to a recent report by U.S News & World Report, Pennsylvania dominates the list of top 10 retirement cities, outpacing Florida. The new top-rated retirement destination is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, praised for its healthcare for seniors, retiree-friendly tax rates, and high resident satisfaction.

Harrisburg, PA – The Ideal Retirement Destination

Harrisburg aced the 2024 retirement cities ranking, climbing from its previous second position. Factors contributing to its success include the quality of healthcare, the happiness of its inhabitants, and a favorable tax situation for retirees. Additionally, the city offers a sense of community and outdoor activities like running, biking, hiking, and camping. Its geographical position also makes it easy to visit major cities like Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York.

Other Top-Rated Pennsylvania Cities

Other Pennsylvania cities that made it to the top 10 include Reading, Scranton, Allentown, York, and Pittsburgh. Comparatively, southern town Daytona Beach, Fla., only managed the No. 8 spot. See the full rankings.

Evaluation Metrics for Retirement Cities

U.S. News evaluated the 150 most populous US cities based on their suitability for retirement. Factors considered in the evaluation include affordability, healthcare quality, desirability, retiree taxes, job market, and overall happiness. Affordability ranked as the most significant of these factors.

Impact of Changing Market Trends

The past year witnessed significant changes in market trends, including record-high interest rates in the housing market, increased cost of goods, and extreme weather patterns. These changes impact retirees’ decisions on where to spend their golden years, with emphasis on affordability and quality of life.

Desirability Index Methodology

The methodology for the desirability index was adjusted in the 2024 rankings to include weather – based on the number of days with moderate temperatures and minimal precipitation. The index also includes an establishment-to-population ratio, assessing the number of restaurants, bars, and activities per 1,000 residents.

The Florida Situation

Florida’s extreme weather and high temperatures, as well as rising housing costs, diminished its ranking. However, the state still had six cities in the top 25.

Newcomers in the Top 25

The new cities that made it to the top 25 included Winston-Salem, N.C.; Trenton, N.J.; and Rochester, N.Y.

Affordability Index Adjustments

The affordability index, which previously focused solely on housing costs, now factors in the general cost of goods within an area.

Data Sources for Rankings

Data for the rankings were sourced from various organizations including the U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA’s National Risk Index, the FBI, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sharecare, and U.S. News’ Best Hospitals rankings.

Retirement Planning Tools

MarketWatch offers a tool to assist with retirement planning. This tool allows users to filter data ranging from housing and weather to taxes, healthcare, theater, hiking, and craft breweries.

Content courtesy of MarketWatch, an independent publication operated by Dow Jones & Co.