Safest Cities in Pennsylvania: Where to Live Without Worry

Pennsylvania is a safe state with crime rates lower than the national average. However, like every state, there are some safe and dangerous cities.

In this article, we will discuss the safest cities in Pennsylvania and their crime rates. We will also share some of the most dangerous cities and give you a brief overview of the crimes in the state.

Top 5 Safest Cities in Pennsylvania 2024

Here are some of the safest cities in Pennsylvania where you can move and visit with less worries.

Hampden Township

The crime rate of Hampden Township is low compared to other cities in the state. The violent crime rate is 0.3, while the property crime rate is 4.1. Both these figures are way below the national average.

Mount Lebanon

Mount Lebanon is another safe city in Pennsylvania with a population of over 33,000 residents. The violent crime rate is 0.3, and the property crime rate is 3.4.

Upper Allen Township

Upper Allen Township is a lovely city with a population of around 23,300 people. Its crime rate is low, and it is considered among the safest cities in Pennsylvania. The violent crime rate is 0.5, while the property crime rate is 4.2 per 1,000 residents.

Shaler Township

Shaler Township is a great choice to live in Pennsylvania. It has a low crime rate, affordable housing, and excellent recreational activities. The violent crime rate in the city is 0.4 per 1,000 residents. And the property crime rate is 7.6.

Hyde Park Town

Another safe city in Pennsylvania is Hyde Park Town. It is known for its outdoor activities, rich history, and peaceful community. The violent crime rate is only 0.5, and the property crime rate is 3.5 per 1,000 residents. It is a safe city to live and enjoy.

Source: SafeWise

A Closer Examination of Pennsylvania's Safest Cities.

The crime rate of the safest cities of Pennsylvania is quite low. It’s way below the national average.

• The violent crime rate of all these safest cities is below 0.5.
• The property crime rate of almost all safe cities is below 4.
• Residents of these cities feel safe due to fewer crime incidents.
• The least property crimes were reported in West Mifflin.
• Even in the safest cities, at least one violent crime per 1,000 residents has been reported.

What Crime Are Pennsylvania Residents Concerned About Most?

The overall crime rate of Pennsylvania is 17.62. The violent crime rate is 2.8, while the property crime rate is 14.83 per 1,000 residents. That said, the crime rate of the state is lower than the national average.

Property Crime

Property crime includes Burglary, Theft, and Motor Vehicle Theft. The rate of burglary is 1.48, the rate of theft is 11.71, and the rate of motor vehicle theft is 1.63 per 1,000 residents. That said, theft is more common. Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime is 1 in 67.

Violent Crime

The violent crime rate of the state is 2.8. The crimes include Murder, Rape, Robbery, and Assault. Out of these, assault is the most common one with a rate of 1.74 per 1,000 residents.

Gun Violence

As of October 2024, there have been 193 homicides reported. Compared to 2023, there is a 40% decrease. There were 185 fatal and 714 non-fatal shooting victims. 86% of the victims were male.

Package Safety

Around 3.37% of the nationwide package theft victims live in Pennsylvania. One out of six people in Pennsylvania lose at least one package per year. However, Pennsylvania residents are 13.6% less likely to experience package theft compared to the whole country.

5 Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania

Some cities in Pennsylvania are extremely dangerous because of their high crime rate.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a large city with a population of over 1.5 million. The violent crime rate is 10.39 per 1,000 residents, which is around 2.5 times more than the national average. The property crime rate is 43.28, which is more than twice the national average. Thus, it is a dangerous city.

Plymouth

Plymouth also has a very high violent crime rate of 10.26 per 1,000 residents. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 97. The property crime rate is 20.17, which is near the national average.

York County Regional

York County Regional has a violent crime rate of 7.14 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate in the city is 25.91.

McKees Rocks

McKees Rocks crime rate is exceptionally high. Its violent crime rate is 16.47, which is four times more than the national average. The property crime rate is also high, and it’s 46.82 per 1,000 residents. It’s not considered a safe city.

McKeesport

McKeesport’s violent crime rate is around four times the national average. It’s 15.92 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate is 31.27, which is 1.5 times the national average.

Source: NeighborhoodScout

How to Stay Safe in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania residents adopt the following ways to stay safe.

Security Camera

Security cameras are the top priority of the residents. It helps in reducing property crimes significantly. You can install Altas PT Ultra. It’s a Wi-Fi 6 camera that offers 4K videos. It works on battery power and records continuous videos. It offers real-time alerts, smart detection, ColorX night vision, pan-and-tilt motion, and many other advanced features.

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Dog

It is unlikely for a thief to enter a house that has a dog. It is better to have a trained dog for this purpose. It will prevent theft and other crimes on your property.

Firearm

Residents of Pennsylvania keep firearms for their safety. It could be useful for self-defense.

FAQs

1. What city in Pennsylvania has the lowest crime rate?

Hampden Township has the lowest crime rate or violent crime rate in Pennsylvania. It is considered one of the safest cities to live in.

2. What city in PA has the worst crime rate?

McKees Rocks has the highest violent crime rate in PA. It is 16.47 per 1,000 residents, which is insane. Its violent crime rate is more than four times the national average.

Conclusion

Before moving to Pennsylvania, you can check the crime rates of the cities. The five safest cities we have shared are excellent to live in. They have very low crime rates. And the most dangerous cities we have shared should be avoided as the chance of becoming a victim is quite high.