Pennsylvania Area Profiles
2 published city profiles across Pennsylvania, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
OpportunityTop 16% of 51 states67
Growth35th of 51 states44
Housing affordabilityTop 26% of 51 states96
Climate30th of 51 states61
Physical resilienceTop 18% of 51 states78
Access36th of 51 states56
Economic stability28th of 51 states50
Cities
| City | Population | Opportunity | Growth | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,579,706 | 61 | 53 | 67 |
| Pittsburgh | 304,759 | 80 | 77 | 78 |
Strongest opportunity
- Pittsburgh 80
- Philadelphia 61
Fastest development
- Pittsburgh 77
- Philadelphia 53
Statewide physical risk
Inland floodingModerate
HurricaneModerate
Low or minimal exposure: winter weather, lightning, strong wind, earthquake, heat wave, landslide, tornado, cold wave, ice storm, hail, wildfire, drought, avalanche, coastal flooding.
Population-weighted across every county in Pennsylvania, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.39 | Bottom 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±8,848 | 5,274,853 | Top 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.2 | 40.9 | Top 18% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 13,018,639 | Top 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 291/sq mi | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Home price to income | 3.26 | Bottom 27% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.3% | Top 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±672 | 5,806,452 | Top 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$5 | $1,209 | Bottom 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$767 | $254,500 | Bottom 33% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income | 18.6% | Bottom 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 9.2% | Bottom 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$342 | $77,971 | Top 45% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$176 | $44,355 | Top 37% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | Bottom 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 28.1 min | Top 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | Top 43% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 6,448,040 | Top 8% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | 1.3% | Top 26% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.8% | Top 2% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 6,704,240 | Top 8% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 62.7% | Bottom 33% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | -1.0% | Bottom 4% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | Bottom 44% | July 2026 |