Pennsylvania's Affordable College Town Offers Retirees Quiet Suburbs And Nature Walks

When seeking a tranquil and affordable retirement, Pennsylvania — one of the states that doesn't tax Social Security income — is worth considering. More specifically, World Atlas named State College, Pennsylvania one of the 10 best small towns to retire in that state. State College is located in the Happy Valley region, an area that earned its name for its economic stability during the Great Depression.

Retirees may appreciate the lower costs of living in this town. BestPlaces awarded State College a cost-of-living score of 95.4, indicating that living expenses there are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average. Meanwhile, Livingcost shows the average cost of living in 2026 as $2,121 monthly for a single person, with rent and utilities costing $1,396 and food adding up to $533 per month. Although it's easy to waste money at restaurants, State College does offer some affordable eat-out options. 

The United States Census Bureau reports that just 6.8% of the population in State College falls into the 65-and-up demographic. That said, plenty of lovely, quiet, retiree-friendly neighborhoods exist in the town. For example, there's Toftrees, which Nextdoor gives an affordability rating of 78 and a friendliness rating of 91. Meanwhile, the Holmes-Foster neighborhood gets an affordability rating of 77 and a friendliness score of 93. Finally, there's Foxpointe/Hunter's Chase, which is rated 76 in affordability and 91 in friendliness. Moreover, the town offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor serenity. 

Plenty of free or low-cost parks and museums exist in State College. Retirees can enjoy the 62-acre Millbrook Marsh Nature Center and the Arboretum at Penn State, with its 10-acre themed H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens and 14 acres of walking paths and meadows. Meanwhile, Mount Nittany Conservancy encompasses nearly 1,000 acres and offers hiking opportunities (although some of the trails can be physically challenging). The Penn State University campus also contains attractive gardens, eye-catching architecture, and nine museums. For example, the Palmer Museum of Art has exhibitions of American and European art and offers sensory-friendly hours and kits.

Health and fitness options also abound in the town. State College is home to the Centre Region Active Adult Center, where over 500 members engage in various free and paid recreational activities. Meals at the center are available for $3 daily, and van transportation costs $1 a day. Retirees often regret moving to the suburbs if it makes transportation difficult or less affordable, and CATARIDE, a branch of the local transit authority, provides affordable public transportation for people aged 65 and up. 

Plus, State College is quite walkable. Walk Score, which analyzes pedestrian routes to amenities and grants points for convenient distances, calls the city a Walker's Paradise and gives it a score of 95 out of 100. Such a high score means that people can run daily errands without a car. Moreover, quality healthcare is nearby. State College's Mount Nittany Medical Center won HealthGrades' Outstanding Patient Experience Award in 2026.