Pennsylvania is weird. Honestly, if you grew up here, you know exactly what I mean. We have "cities" that feel like tiny villages and "townships" that are basically massive urban sprawls. If you’re looking at a list of cities in Pennsylvania, you probably expect a straightforward ranking of where people live. But in the Keystone State, the law makes things way more complicated than they need to be.
Most people think a city is just any place with a lot of buildings and a post office. In PA, that’s not how it works. We have 56 official cities. Only 56. Everything else—no matter how big—is technically a borough, a township, or in one very specific, lonely case, a "town."
The Heavy Hitters: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
You can't talk about a list of cities in Pennsylvania without starting at the ends of the state. It’s like two different universes connected by a very long, very orange (thanks to the construction) turnpike.
Philadelphia is the big one. It’s a First Class city, and it’s the only one in its category. With a population sitting around 1,560,480 as we head through 2026, it’s the heart of the East Coast’s 250th-anniversary prep. If you visit this year, expect chaos. But the good kind of chaos. We’re talking World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, and more history than you can shove into a cheesesteak.
Then there’s Pittsburgh. The "Steel City." It’s our only Second Class city. It’s got about 310,103 residents now, and it’s finally shedding that "smoky" reputation for good. Nowadays, it’s all about robotics, healthcare, and some of the best views in the country if you take the Duquesne Incline at sunset. It’s also hosting the NFL Draft this year, so the North Shore is basically going to be one giant party.
The "In-Betweeners" You’ve Probably Heard Of
After the big two, the population drops off fast, but the personality stays high. These are the Third Class cities. They’re the backbone of the state, often built on old industry but trying really hard to reinvent themselves.
- Allentown: It’s the third-largest city (pop. 127,841). It’s the hub of the Lehigh Valley and, honestly, it’s booming because people are fleeing the high prices of New York and Philly.
- Reading: People usually just think of the Pagoda or the old railroad, but Reading is actually the fourth largest at 96,508 people. It’s got a huge, vibrant Hispanic community that has completely redefined the city's food and culture over the last decade.
- Erie: Our only Great Lakes port. It’s sitting at around 91,970 people. If you like snow, go to Erie. If you like beautiful sunsets over the water at Presque Isle, also go to Erie.
The Great Pennsylvania Identity Crisis
Here is where the list of cities in Pennsylvania gets truly confusing for outsiders.
Take Upper Darby. It has over 87,000 people. That is more people than Scranton. It's more people than Harrisburg. But is it a city? Nope. It’s a township.
What about State College? It’s where Penn State is. It feels like a city. It functions like a city. It has over 41,000 residents. But legally? It’s a borough.
Then there’s Bloomsburg. It is the only place in the entire state legally allowed to call itself a "Town." Not a city, not a borough. Just a town. Why? Because of a specific 19th-century charter that nobody ever bothered to change.
Why the Labels Matter
In PA, these aren't just names. They dictate how the government works.
- Cities usually have a Mayor and a City Council.
- Boroughs (we have 956 of them!) are usually run by a council and a mayor who mostly just oversees the police.
- Townships are the "everything else" category. Second-class townships are often the rural spots governed by "Supervisors."
A Glimpse at the Full Official List (By the Numbers)
While I won't bore you with all 2,500+ municipalities, here is how the top of the official list of cities in Pennsylvania looks for 2026 based on the most recent population trends and census estimates.
| City Name | 2026 Estimated Pop. | Why People Go There |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,560,480 | Liberty Bell, World Cup 2026, Incredible Food |
| Pittsburgh | 310,103 | NFL Draft 2026, Museums, Bridges (so many bridges) |
| Allentown | 127,841 | IronPigs Baseball, Dorney Park, Lehigh River |
| Reading | 96,508 | The Pagoda, Heritage Sites, Affordable Living |
| Erie | 91,970 | Presque Isle State Park, Maritime Museum |
| Bethlehem | 81,326 | SteelStacks, Christmas City vibes, Musikfest |
| Scranton | 75,767 | Steamtown, "The Office" fans, Electric City sign |
| Lancaster | 58,690 | Central Market, Art Galleries, Amish Country proximity |
| Harrisburg | 50,927 | The State Capitol (it’s gorgeous), City Island |
The "Secret" Gems on the List
If you're just looking at a list of cities in Pennsylvania to find a place to live or visit, don't sleep on the smaller ones.
Lancaster is consistently ranked as one of the best places to retire or live in the U.S. It's got this perfect mix of old-school brick architecture and a super modern "maker" culture. You can buy handmade leather goods and then walk two blocks to a high-end vegan bistro.
Harrisburg often gets a bad rap because it’s a government town. But the Capitol building itself is basically a palace—Teddy Roosevelt actually called it the "handsomest building" he ever saw. Plus, the Susquehanna River is right there for kayaking and walking along the Front Street trails.
Bethlehem is probably the coolest success story on the list. When Bethlehem Steel shut down, it could have died. Instead, they turned the massive, rusting furnaces into a backdrop for a massive arts and entertainment complex called SteelStacks. It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.
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Dealing With "Place" vs. "Address"
One thing that trips everyone up: your mailing address.
You might live in a place called "King of Prussia." You’ll see it on maps. You’ll write it on your envelopes. But if you look at an official list of cities in Pennsylvania, you won't find it. King of Prussia isn't a city or a borough. It’s a census-designated place inside Upper Merion Township.
This happens everywhere. You think you live in a city, but you actually live in a township that just happens to use the city's name for the post office. It makes tax season a nightmare, but it gives every little neighborhood a weird sense of local pride.
What’s Changing in 2026?
We’re seeing a shift. For a long time, the smaller "Third Class" cities like York and Altoona were shrinking. But with remote work becoming a permanent fixture for a lot of people, these smaller spots are seeing a mini-renaissance.
People want walkable downtowns without the $3,000 rent of Philadelphia. Places like Easton (home of Crayola) and Lancaster are becoming magnets for young families who want a "city lite" experience.
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you are planning a move or a trip based on this list of cities in Pennsylvania, here is the best way to handle it:
- Verify the Tax Structure: If you’re moving, check if the "city" is actually a township. Local Earned Income Tax (EIT) varies wildly between a city like Scranton and a neighboring township.
- Look at "Boroughs" too: If you want a "city feel"—walkable streets, local shops—you should actually be looking at boroughs like West Chester, Doylestown, or Media rather than just the official 56 cities.
- Visit in the Shoulder Season: PA is beautiful in the fall, but 2026 is going to be packed in the summer due to the national celebrations. If you want to see the cities without the crowds, aim for late September.
Pennsylvania's municipal map is a messy, historic, confusing patchwork. But that's also why it's interesting. Every time you cross a line from a city to a borough, the rules change, the vibe changes, and usually, the quality of the pizza changes too.