Erie, PA, known as 'The Gem City,' offers a unique blend of lakeside charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Erie County, Erie is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Cleveland (102 miles) and Buffalo (95 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Erie's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Erie is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Erie Maritime Museum, the historic Bicentennial Tower, and the scenic Presque Isle State Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Erie Zoo to the bustling Millcreek Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Erie's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival and CelebrateErie highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Erie's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Gannon University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Erie is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Warner Theatre and the Erie Art Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Erie provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Erie’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Erie Otters (hockey) and the Erie SeaWolves (baseball), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Erie include manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Erie Insurance and Saint Vincent Hospital driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and Amtrak service...
Amenities
The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Ratings
Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.
Erie, Pennsylvania is a medium-sized city with a population of 96,616 residents. Erie has a population density of 5,047 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Erie is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Erie, only 41% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Erie. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Erie, Pennsylvania could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Erie and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.
Erie, PA receives 82 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #84 in Pennsylvania and #868 in the USA. Based on this score, Erie would be considered a very livable city! Erie also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Erie ranks very well for housing (B). Erie does not do well for the following: crime (D) and employment (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Erie has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Erie has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Erie Zoo, Erie Maritime Museum, and Jr's Last Laugh Comedy Club & Restaurant.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Erie can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Erie meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Erie. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Erie are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Erie come in at $90,500, which is 46% lower than the Pennsylvania average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Erie, the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 25.8% lower than the Pennsylvania average.
| Statistic | Erie | Pennsylvania | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.4% | 76.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.9% | 8.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.9% | 5.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.7% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.3% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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