Staff Reporter
Choosing where to live often comes down to one central question: how good is the quality of life? For many residents in the Keystone State, the answer may not be encouraging. A new national study sheds light on how quality of life in Pennsylvania cities compares with other urban centers across the United States.
The research, published by LawnStarter under the title “2025’s Leading Cities for Quality of Life,” evaluated 500 of the country’s largest cities. Using 13 key categories — from economic stability and healthcare access to safety and air and water quality — the study paints a broad picture of where cities excel and where they fall short.
📌 Story Highlights
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Quality of life in Pennsylvania cities ranked low in a 2025 national study.
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Seven cities, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, landed in the bottom half of the list.
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Philadelphia’s food insecurity rate stood at 17.6%, the fourth-highest in the nation.
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Flint, Michigan, ranked last overall.
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Newton, Massachusetts, and two Minnesota cities topped the list for best quality of life.
A Closer Look at Pennsylvania’s Scores
Seven Pennsylvania cities appeared in the rankings — but none landed near the top. According to the study:
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Bethlehem ranked 246th overall.
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Pittsburgh ranked 303rd.
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Allentown came in at 386th.
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Scranton followed at 401st.
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Philadelphia landed at 436th.
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Erie placed 440th.
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Reading dropped to 469th.
The report noted that Philadelphia’s food insecurity rate reached 17.6 percent, marking it as the fourth-highest among all U.S. cities analyzed.
Even with these disappointing numbers, Pennsylvania’s cities performed better than Flint, Michigan, which came in dead last in the overall ranking.
National Leaders in Quality of Life
At the other end of the spectrum, the top three cities for quality of life were Newton, Massachusetts in first place, Woodbury, Minnesota in second, and Plymouth, Minnesota in third. Each of these communities scored highly for factors such as affordability, public amenities, and environmental quality.
Expert Insights on What Matters
Mark D. Bjelland, Ph.D., professor of geography at Calvin University, said that housing costs relative to wages remain the most critical measure of a city’s livability.
“Because of life should be for all people, I would rate the most important factor as housing costs relative to wages,” Bjelland explained.
He added that he places strong value on urban vibrancy:
“Because I value urbanism, a second factor would be the walkability and density of restaurants, shops, and services. A city’s walk score or transit score captures this pretty well.”
Parks and green spaces, he argued, are equally vital:
“Third, parks and trails are essential to a high quality of life. I grew up in Minneapolis and all of my Minneapolis friends would agree that the park and parkway system was what made Minneapolis a great place to live.”
Why These Rankings Matter
The quality of life in Pennsylvania cities has implications for housing markets, workforce retention, and community growth. With rising living costs and concerns over safety, food security, and infrastructure, residents and policymakers alike may use these findings to re-evaluate priorities.
By shining a spotlight on both the challenges and successes of cities nationwide, the 2025 Quality of Life Study offers a roadmap for improving everyday living conditions. Whether through better housing affordability, stronger public transit, or expanded parks and recreation, the choices cities make now will shape their future rankings — and their residents’ daily experiences.
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