For those who want to stay in the northeast U.S., retiring in Pennsylvania is looking more and more attractive.

Pennsylvania can offer lower costs and taxes compared to other states in the area.

Five of its towns were ranked in  the top 10 for “Best Places to Retire” in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.

A 2023 study conducted by WalletHub also showed that Pennsylvania ranked in the top half of all states for health care cost, access and outcomes.

Here are the reasons you might want to retire to Pennsylvania.

• Affordable cost of living versus other retirement hotspots: The cost of living index of 94.6 in Pennsylvania is more than 5 percent lower than the national average.

When you look at other popular retirement destinations — like Delaware and Florida — you’ll see those numbers are a lot higher.

According to the MERIC cost of living index for 2023, Pennsylvania ranked about 27 in the nation, which is better than New York (ranked 47) and New Jersey (40).

Retirement savings of $817,000 would cover the average cost of living in Pennsylvania.

• Four season fun: Pennsylvania gets to experience each of the four seasons throughout the year.
• Top-notch health care: As noted above, Pennsylvania is known for its quality physicians, affordable insurance costs, access to coverage and more. 
• Tax-friendly to retirees: In Pennsylvania, all income from social security is tax-exempt on the state level.

You also won’t see tax on retirement account withdrawals, public and private pensions, or 401(k)s and IRAs.

However, Pennsylvania does have among the highest property tax rates in the entire country. Fortunately, there are property tax relief programs available to help lower some of the costs.

• Ideal location: Atlantic City, New York City and Baltimore are a few examples of nearby major cities with a lot to explore.
• Abundant history: History buffs can take the time to explore the Gettysburg National Military Park, catch a train into the mountains at No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum, or learn about the history of anthracite coal at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum – just to name a few things.

Of course, there’s always the “must sees” of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.

More Fun Facts to Know About Pennsylvania

King of Prussia Mall is Pennsylvania’s biggest shopping mall, and overall, the third biggest mall in the country. From luxury designer brands to local, small businesses, the 30-minute drive would be well worth the trip for anyone. Make sure to bring an appetite as the mall has been expanding with a wide variety of options.

There are 20 state forests and over 100 state parks in the Keystone State.

The oldest golf course in the U.S. is in Clarion, Pennsylvania.

Retire at Freedom Village and Explore the Brandywine Valley

While a lot of the “Best Places to Retire” research focused on Pennsylvania’s larger metropolitan areas, not everyone wants to be in all the hustle and bustle (or congestion and pollution) of major cities. If you’re looking for small-town charm that offers lots of outdoor activities, look no farther than Brandywine Valley. Freedom Village at Brandywine is located in the Greater Brandywine Valley area, surrounded by the countryside of the Brandywine Valley.

Find out more about Freedom Village at Brandywine or take a tour.