Top 10 Worst Places to Live in Pennsylvania in 2025

Top 10 Worst Places to Live In Pennsylvania . Top 10 Worst Cities In Pennsylvania to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in Pennsylvania. Top 10 Worst Villages in Pennsylvania. If you’re thinking about a move to Pennsylvania, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In North Carolina. 10 Places in Pennsylvania You Should NEVER Move To.



TOP 10 WORST PLACES TO LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA

1. CHESTER

Located in Delaware County, Chester is situated along the Delaware River and is about 20 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Chester ranks 2nd in unemployment, 4th in poverty and 6th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 3rd in overall crime, 5th in violent crime and 8th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Chester is 30.4%, which is 117.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Chester earns $32867 a year, which is 51.31% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

The unemployment rate of Chester remained 14.3%, which is 204.26% higher than national rate. 1 in every 7 workers in Chester is unemployed. 

The overall crime rate in city is 87.07% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 256.52% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 53.5% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 33 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 33855
Unemployment Rate : 14.3%
Poverty : 30.4%
Median Home Value : $70300
Median Home Income : $32867
Overall Score : 5/10

2. JOHNSTOWN

Situated in Cambria County, Johnstown is located in the western part of Pennsylvania, approximately 80 miles east of Pittsburgh. Johnstown ranks 2nd in poverty, lowest median income and 13th in unemployment in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 5th in overall crime, 6th in violent crime and 9th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Johnstown is 33.2%, which is 137.14% higher than national average. The unemployment rate of Johnstown remained 9.5%, which is 102.13% higher than national rate. The typical household in Johnstown earns $29171 a year, which is 56.78% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  Nearly 76.4% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.


The overall crime rate in city is 75.59% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 196.29% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 51.68% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 31 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 19381
Unemployment Rate : 9.5%
Poverty : 33.2%
Median Home Value : $37000
Median Home Income : $29171
Overall Score : 4/10

3. MCKEESPORT

Located in Allegheny County, McKeesport is a city in the western part of the state, about 12 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Mckeesport ranks 5th in poverty 1st in lowest median income and 11th in unemployment in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 4th in overall crime, 2nd in violent crime and 10th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Mckeesport is 30.3%, which is 116.43% higher than national average. The unemployment rate of Mckeesport remained 9.8%, which is 108.51% higher than national rate. The typical household in Mckeesport earns $28881 a year, which is 57.21% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, whereas more than 1 in every 8 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 71.2% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.



The overall crime rate in city is 82.9% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 294.69% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 60 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 40.93% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 33 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 19128
Unemployment Rate : 9.8%
Poverty : 30.3%
Median Home Value : $51200
Median Home Income : $28881
Overall Score : 5/10

4. UNIONTOWN

Situated in Fayette County, Uniontown is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, approximately 50 miles south of Pittsburgh.Uniontown ranks 1st in overall crime, property Crime and 3rd in violent crime in the state. City also ranks 3rd in unemployment, 6th in poverty and 8th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania.

The poverty rate of Uniontown is 27.7%, which is 97.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Uniontown earns $34724 a year, which is 48.56% lower than national average. 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line,while more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. 

The unemployment rate of Uniontown remained 13.3%, which is 182.98% higher than national rate. 1 in every 8 workers in Uniontown is unemployed. 

The overall crime rate in city is 158.35% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 259.46% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 138.31% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 21 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 9740
Unemployment Rate : 13.3%
Poverty : 27.7%
Median Home Value : $82900
Median Home Income : $34724
Overall Score : 5/10

5. READING

Located in Berks County, Reading is situated in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Reading ranks 6th in unemployment, 3rd in poverty and 10th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 17th in overall crime, 12th in violent crime and 20th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Reading is 30.9%, which is 120.71% higher than national average. The typical household in Reading earns $35745 a year, which is 47.04% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 9 workers in Reading is unemployed.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 62.7% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. 

The unemployment rate of Reading remained 11.4%, which is 142.55% higher than national rate. In Reading, only 69% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to the 87.7% of adults nationwide. 

The overall crime rate in city is 25.52% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 80.93% higher than national average.  While the property crime rate of city is 14.54% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 45 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 88333
Unemployment Rate : 11.4%
Poverty : 30.9%
Median Home Value : $79500
Median Home Income : $35745
Overall Score : 5/10

6. DARBY

Situated in Delaware County, Darby is located along the Darby Creek and is approximately 8 miles west of Philadelphia. Darby ranks 1st in unemployment, 12th in poverty and 19th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 2nd in overall crime, 4th in violent crime and 3rd in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Darby is 25.5%, which is 82.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Darby earns $40423 a year, which is 40.11% lower than national average. 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 7 workers in Darby is unemployed. Additionally, more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  The unemployment rate of Darby remained 15.2%, which is 223.4% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 97.16% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 258.84% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 65.12% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 31 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 10711
Unemployment Rate : 15.2%
Poverty : 25.5%
Median Home Value : $78700
Median Home Income : $40423
Overall Score : 4/10

7. WILKINSBURG

Located in Allegheny County, Wilkinsburg is a borough in the eastern part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Wilkinsburg ranks 23rd in unemployment, 9th in poverty and 13th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 11th in overall crime, 10th in violent crime and 14th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Wilkinsburg is 26.2%, which is 87.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Wilkinsburg earns $37649 a year, which is 44.22% lower than national average.  1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 61.9% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.

The unemployment rate of Wilkinsburg remained 7.6%, which is 61.7% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 44.86% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 100.98% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 33.75% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 38 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 15367
Unemployment Rate : 7.6%
Poverty : 26.2%
Median Home Value : $93000
Median Home Income : $37649
Overall Score : 6/10

8. HARRISBURG

Situated in Dauphin County, Harrisburg is the capital city of Pennsylvania and is located along the Susquehanna River in the central part of the state. Harrisburg ranks 9th in violent crime and 20th in overall crime. City also ranks 18th in unemployment, 8th in poverty and 27th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania.

The poverty rate of Harrisburg is 26.5%, which is 89.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Harrisburg earns $41831 a year, which is 38.03% lower than national average.  1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 8 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  The unemployment rate of Harrisburg remained 8.5%, which is 80.85% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 12.36% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 120.88% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 117 chance of being victim of violent crime.

Population : 49247
Unemployment Rate : 8.5%
Poverty : 26.5%
Median Home Value : $85500
Median Home Income : $41831
Overall Score : 4/10

9. YORK

Located in York County, York is situated in south-central Pennsylvania, about 100 miles west of Philadelphia and 70 miles north of Baltimore. York ranks 4th in unemployment, 6th in poverty and 11th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 10th in overall crime, 7th in violent crime and 15th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of York is 27.7%, which is 97.86% higher than national average. The typical household in York earns $36320 a year, which is 46.19% lower than national average. 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, whereas 1 in every 8 workers in York is unemployed. The unemployment rate of York remained 11.8%, which is 151.06% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 53.15% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 162.58% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 31.47% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 39 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 44019
Unemployment Rate : 11.8%
Poverty : 27.7%
Median Home Value : $77100
Median Home Income : $36320
Overall Score : 5/10

10. SHARON

Situated in Mercer County, Sharon is located in the western part of Pennsylvania, approximately 70 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Sharon ranks 8th in unemployment, 7th in poverty and 4th in lowest median income in the Pennsylvania. City also ranks 8th in overall crime, 22nd in violent crime and 5th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Sharon is 26.9%, which is 92.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Sharon earns $31777 a year, which is 52.92% lower than national average. 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 10 workers in Sharon is unemployed.

The unemployment rate of Sharon remained 10.3%, which is 119.15% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 55.22% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 27.35% higher than national average.  While the property crime rate of city is 60.74% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 32 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 13101
Unemployment Rate : 10.3%
Poverty : 26.9%
Median Home Value : $64700
Median Home Income : $31777
Overall Score : 5/10

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