Livability Score

78
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (7) B
Curry Donuts
Coffee Shop
Currys Donuts
Coffee Shop
Curry Donut
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Crimson Lion Hookah Lounge
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Las Delicias El Paraiso
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Curry Donuts
Coffee Shop
Curry Donuts
Coffee Shop
Electric City Roasting Co.
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (9) A+
Chacko's Family Bowling Center
Bowling Alley
Wise Crackers
Nightclub
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Theatre Arts
Wilkes-Barre Movies 14
Cinema
The Mary Stegmaier Mansion
Attraction
Ali Baba Lounge
Nightclub
Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre
Theatre Arts
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
Theatre Arts
Arts Center of Wilkes-Barre
Theatre Arts
River Street Jazz Cafe
Nightclub
Art 'n Vino
Theatre Arts
The Big Cow
Attraction
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
Stadium
Bentley's of NEPA
Nightclub
WiseCrackers Comedy Club
Nightclub
The Music Box Playhouse
Theatre Arts
Food and Drink (79) A+
Oasis Inn
Bar
Beer Boys
Bar
Senunas' Bar & Grill
Bar
HEAT
Bar
The CheeseSteak Factory
Fast Food
Chick-fil-A
Fast Food
Las Delicias Deli & Restaurant
Deli
Goodfella's
Bar
Ziggy's Pub and Grub
Bar
Don Kaspers Watering Hole
Bar
Circles on the Square
Deli
Dunkin'
Fast Food
Domino's
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Keats Pub
Bar
Shooters
Bar
Beer Buzz
Beverages
Patte's
Bar
Jim McCarthy's Tavern on the Hill
Bar
Moore's Cafe
Bar
Peters Deli
Deli
Donahue's Irish Pub
Bar
Tlatenchi Deli & Grocery
Deli
Leisure Tavern
Bar
Fitness (7) A+
Keating Fitness Center
Gym
Downtown Dojo Karate Academy
Gym
Wilkes-Barre Indoor Rock Climbing
Gym
Elite Physical Therapy & Fitness
Gym
Odyssey Fitness
Gym
Turning Point Fitness Center
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
Planet Fitness
Gym
Melt Hot Yoga
Gym
Planet Fitness
Gym
FabFitness
Gym
Shooting Starz Gymnastics
Gym
Maximum Impact Sports Training
Gym
My Sky Elite Training Facility
Gym
Balucha's Karate
Gym
Kung Fu Training Center
Gym
Sweat
Gym
Barne's Martial Arts
Gym
Northeast Gymnastics Academy
Gym
R&D Memories
Community Centre
Groceries (11) F
India Bazar
Grocery Store
Arianna's Bakery
Bakery
Price Chopper
Grocery Store
Aldi
Grocery Store
Fitness Headquarters
Health Food
Wegmans
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Save-A-Lot
Grocery Store
Amigo's Bakery
Bakery
Entenman's Bakery Outlet
Bakery
Middle East Bakery
Bakery
Tony's Meat Market
Butcher
Atie's Specialty Bakery
Bakery
Bakehouse
Bakery
Schiel's Family Market
Grocery Store
Schiel's Family Market
Grocery Store
Bakery Delite
Bakery
Leonard's Kielbasi
Butcher
Market 32 by Price Chopper
Grocery Store
Panera Bread
Bakery
Premo's Bakery
Bakery
Monelli's bakery
Bakery
Main Street Bakery
Bakery
Plains Meat Market
Butcher
Gerrity's
Grocery Store
Parks (44) A+
Frances Slocum Playground
Park
Morgan B. Williams Park
Park
Public Square Park
Park
The Park
Park
Coal Street Park
Park
Wilkes-Barre River Common
Park
Playground
Park
Nesbitt Park
Park
O. Karma Terrace Playground
Park
Madison/Flood Park
Park
1st Avenue Tot Lot
Park
Weissman Park
Park
George Ralston Field
Park
Kirby Park
Park
Playground
Park
Hamilton Park
Park
Charles Street Park
Park
Church Street Park
Park
Huber Street Park
Park
Reeses Park
Park
Al Karaska Memorial Park
Park
International Veterans Memorial Peace Park
Park
Hollenback Park
Park
Community Peace Garden
Park
Scouton Lee Park
Park
Shops (135) A+
Turkey Hill
Convenience Store
Union and Main Hair Design
Hairdresser
Luzerne Optical Laboratories
Optician
Jolie Health and Beauty Academy
Beauty
Boost Mobile
Electronics
Verizon
Electronics
A&M Floral Express
Florist
Walter's Hardware
Home Improvement
King Tut's Gold Repair Hut
Fashion
Sartorio & Sons Barber Shop
Hairdresser
Dollar Tree
Discount Store
Boscov's
Department Store
Center City Repairs
Electronics
Butler Eye Care
Optician
Instant Vacation Day Spa
Beauty
Gabriel's Barbershop
Hairdresser
The Hair Lounge on Main
Hairdresser
Tilburys Knob
Discount Store
Metro by T-Mobile
Electronics
Upper Echelon
Electronics
BMC Office Furniture
Furniture
Xtreme Salon
Hairdresser
Shedd Shirts & Graphics
Clothing
Carmen & Co. Hair Plus
Hairdresser
Brooklyn's Finest Cuts & Style
Hairdresser
See more Wilkes-Barre amenity data

commute F

Of all people who commute, 3.1% take public transportation in Wilkes-Barre.
Public Transit Stops (1)
Stops & Stations F
Mountain Top/Wilkes-Barre Park and Ride Lot LCTA Bus Stop
Bus Stop
Nanticoke Park and Ride Lot LCTA Bus Stop
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
3.1% F
See more Wilkes-Barre commute data

cost of living A+

The cost of living in Wilkes-Barre is 86/100 - which is 12% lower than Pennsylvania.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. A+
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax A+
See more Wilkes-Barre cost of living data

crime C-

Wilkes-Barre crime rates are 2,009 per 100k, which is 14% higher than Pennsylvania
Property Crime
1,611 crimes per 100k C+
Violent Crime
398 crimes per 100k D+
See more Wilkes-Barre crime data

employment F

The median income in Wilkes-Barre is $40,505 - which is 26% lower than Pennsylvania.
Med. Household Income
$40,505 F
Unemployment Rate
5.3% F
See more Wilkes-Barre employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (33)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Volunteers in Medicine
Clinic
Wilkes-Barre City Police Headquarters
Police
Frederick Dental
Dentist
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
Mark Miscavage, DMD
Dentist
Gerald F. Perry, DDS
Dentist
Dr. David Potash Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
Doctor
Wilkes University Public Safety Center
Police
Geisinger Medical Group
Doctor
Wilkes-Barre Fire Company No. 5
Fire Station
Wilkes-Barre East End Fire
Fire Station
Wilkes-Barre Fire Department Headquarters
Fire Station
Frank A Berman
Dentist
Joseph J. Ridilla, D.O.
Doctor
Oasis Patient Service Center
Doctor
Commonwealth Health EMS
Ambulance Station
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital
Hospital
The Medicine Shoppe
Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Dental Office
Dentist
Pain Center of Wyoming Valley
Doctor
Joseph S. Briskie, DO
Doctor
Pain Center of Wyoming Valley
Doctor
NEPA Cardiology Associates
Doctor
Keystone Professional Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A
See more Wilkes-Barre health & safety data

housing A+

Wilkes-Barre home prices are $78,000 - which is 53% lower than Pennsylvania
Home Price
$78,000 F
Home Appreciation Rate
2% C+
Home Affordability
1.9x (home price to income ratio) A+
See more Wilkes-Barre housing data

schools C-

The Wilkes-Barre graduation rate is 78% - which is 9% lower than Pennsylvania
School Test Scores
34% F
High School Grad. Rates
78% D
Elementary Schools (8) A
Wilkes-Barre Academy
Heights/Murray El Sch
Cheder Menachem
Daniel J Flood El Sch
St Nicholas-St Mary'S School
Little People Daycare School
Third Avenue El Sch
Milford E Barnes Jr School
Wyoming Valley West Ms
Chester Street El Sch
Dodson El Sch
Jenny Lynn Elementary
Wilkes-Barre Mennonite School
Good Shepherd Academy
Wyoming Valley Montessori School
Dr David W Kistler El Sch
Schuyler Avenue El Sch
Solomon/Plains El Sch
Lee Park El Sch
Dana El Ctr
Graham Academy
Hanover Area Memorial El Sch
State El Ctr
New Story School
High Schools (8) A+
James M Coughlin Jshs
Holy Redeemer H.S.
G A R Memorial Jshs
Milford E Barnes Jr School
Wilkes-Barre Mennonite School
Wilkes-Barre Area Sd Stem Academy
Elmer L Meyers Jshs
West Side Ctc
Graham Academy
Wilkes-Barre Area Ctc
New Story School
Wyoming Valley West Shs
See more Wilkes-Barre education data

ratings D

Wilkes-Barre has an overall rating of 56% from 9 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes B-
User Surveys (6)
From AreaVibes F
See more Wilkes-Barre user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Wilkes-Barre, PA Area Guide

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Photo of Wilkes-Barre, PA
( 9 Ratings )

Living in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Ranks better than 78% of areas Follow

Wilkes-Barre Area Facts

  • Wilkes-Barre has a Livability Score of 78/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Wilkes-Barre crime rates are 14% higher than the Pennsylvania average
  • Cost of living in Wilkes-Barre is 12% lower than the Pennsylvania average

What do the locals think about Wilkes-Barre?

Based on 6 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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Wilkes-Barre Reviews

Write a review about Wilkes-Barre Tell people what you like or don't like about Wilkes-Barre…
Do not move here... 2 rating By Anonymous ( Apr 08, 2021) I moved here two years ago from CO, and boy, I wish I didn't. I grew up in this area and the nature itself is spectacular. However, over the past 20 years I had been away, nothing appears to have changed for the better. This area is racist/bigoted, impoverished, and the potholes ...Read More here will destroy your car. If you are a person who dives into new communities with ease, you may be able to find some things to do around here and enjoy this city. However, in my opinion, there isn't very much to do out here that isn't nature-related. If you don't drink alcohol, good luck finding friends. Since I have been here, I have had some attempt to abduct me, my house has been robbed, my partner and I have permanent health problems from the mold in our home (housing here is terrible) and everyone is angry and mean. There are good people here, but there is a lot more bad. Not to mention that there is just garbage and litter everywhere you look. You want to live in a run-down, dreary, town surrounded by people who miserable and rude? Come here. Read Less
A city with growth 5 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 18, 2018) Wilkes Barre is an incredible potential growing city in Northeast Pennsylvania just two hours west of New York City and two hours north of Philadelphia. Wilkes Barre has drastically changed throughout the years by building new developments, upscale shopping sites and keeps on upg ...Read More rading every year providing the perfect town for those immigrating into the Diamond City Read Less
Wilkes Barre: The Good and the Bad 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Aug 18, 2015) I lived in the Wilkes Barre (pronounced Wilkes Berry) area. In fact, I spent much of my adolescence there. One great thing about Wilkes Barre is that it's well stocked with a lot of shopping options. The Wyoming Valley Mall is huge and I spent a lot of time in the Bon Ton. There' ...Read More s a Barnes and Noble nearby, and my mom and I would go there and get coffee, enjoying our books.

Anyone who has relocated to Wilkes Barre to start a family will find lots of options for college, such as Wilkes University and Penn State Wilkes. I went to a few track meets at Wilkes University, and the school has an amazing athletic field. Some of my friends went there and their programs are also great. I don't know a lot about Penn State Wilkes, but joining the Penn State family is never a bad thing to do.

Wilkes Barre has a pretty plentiful downtown. There are lots of bars and shops to peek around in. Certain parts of town are definitely better than others, but safety is important no matter where you are, of course. As far as food, I'll never forget this Thai restaurant my family and I went to. It's called Thai Thai. Their pad Thai with chicken was the very best I've ever had. There's a movie theater right in that area too. We took my grandfather there one time and it was a pretty good day.

As far as attractions go, the biggest one I would have to say is Mohegan Sun. I went there with my grandfather and our family. I wasn't old enough to gamble, but there were plenty of things to do. The food at the casino is great. While my parents and grandfather were on the casino floor, my siblings and I checked out some of the shops. Read Less
Show All Reviews
Wilkes Barre: The Good and the Bad 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Aug 18, 2015) I lived in the Wilkes Barre (pronounced Wilkes Berry) area. In fact, I spent much of my adolescence there. One great thing about Wilkes Barre is that it's well stocked with a lot of shopping options. The Wyoming Valley Mall is huge and I spent a lot of time in the Bon Ton. There' ...Read More s a Barnes and Noble nearby, and my mom and I would go there and get coffee, enjoying our books.

Anyone who has relocated to Wilkes Barre to start a family will find lots of options for college, such as Wilkes University and Penn State Wilkes. I went to a few track meets at Wilkes University, and the school has an amazing athletic field. Some of my friends went there and their programs are also great. I don't know a lot about Penn State Wilkes, but joining the Penn State family is never a bad thing to do.

Wilkes Barre has a pretty plentiful downtown. There are lots of bars and shops to peek around in. Certain parts of town are definitely better than others, but safety is important no matter where you are, of course. As far as food, I'll never forget this Thai restaurant my family and I went to. It's called Thai Thai. Their pad Thai with chicken was the very best I've ever had. There's a movie theater right in that area too. We took my grandfather there one time and it was a pretty good day.

As far as attractions go, the biggest one I would have to say is Mohegan Sun. I went there with my grandfather and our family. I wasn't old enough to gamble, but there were plenty of things to do. The food at the casino is great. While my parents and grandfather were on the casino floor, my siblings and I checked out some of the shops. Read Less

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Wilkes-Barre Awards

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Compare Wilkes-Barre, PA Livability

      vs

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Wilkes-Barre? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Frances Slocum Playground
      Morgan B. Williams Park
      Public Square Park
      The Park
      Coal Street Park
      Wilkes-Barre River Common
      Playground
      Nesbitt Park

      Entertainment

      Chacko's Family Bowling Center
      Wise Crackers
      F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
      Wilkes-Barre Movies 14
      The Mary Stegmaier Mansion
      Ali Baba Lounge
      Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre
      Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts

      Food & Drink

      Oasis Inn
      Beer Boys
      Senunas' Bar & Grill
      HEAT
      The CheeseSteak Factory
      Chick-fil-A
      Las Delicias Deli & Restaurant
      Goodfella's

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Wilkes-Barre? Of all people who commute, 3.1% take public transportation in Wilkes-Barre.
      Drive to Work
      71%

      5% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      3%

      2% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      8%

      5% higher than the US average

      A+ Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Wilkes-Barre? The cost of living in Wilkes-Barre is 86/100 - which is 12% lower than Pennsylvania.
      Wilkes-Barre
      86

      14% less expensive than average

      Pennsylvania
      98

      2% less expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      C- Crime

      What is the crime rate in Wilkes-Barre? Wilkes-Barre crime rates are 2,009, which are 14% higher than Pennsylvania
      Total Crime
      2,009 per 100k people

      14% lower than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 50

      14% lower than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      -25%

      Year over year crime is down

      F Employment

      What is the median income in Wilkes-Barre? The median income in Wilkes-Barre is $40,505 which is 26% lower than Pennsylvania.
      Median household income
      $40,50527% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $20,78530% lower than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      5%

      14% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Wilkes-Barre a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre
      Wilkes-Barre General Hospital

      Pharmacies

      Harrold's
      Keystone Professional Pharmacy
      Bedwick's Pharmacy
      The Medicine Shoppe
      Rite Aid
      CVS Pharmacy

      Doctors

      Commonwealth Health Physician Network
      Community Health Center
      Joseph J. Ridilla, D.O.
      Dr. David Potash Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
      Hart Medical Center

      A+ Housing

      What are Wilkes-Barre home prices? Wilkes-Barre home prices are $78,000 - which is 53% lower than Pennsylvania
      Median home value
      $78,00058% lower than the US average
      Median rent price
      $75720% lower than the US average
      Home Ownership
      48%

      24% lower than the US average

      C- Schools

      Does Wilkes-Barre have good schools? The Wilkes-Barre graduation rate is 78% - which is 9% lower than Pennsylvania
      High school grad. rates
      78%

      7% lower than the US average

      School test scores
      34%

      30% lower than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      16:1

      3% lower than the US average

      D User Ratings

      Is Wilkes-Barre a good place to live? Wilkes-Barre has an overall rating of 56% from 9 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      56%

      9 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      70%

      3 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      22%

      6 total surveys

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