Moving to
Wilkes-Barre.

$946/mo median rent

Rent here is genuinely low, with median rent around $946 a month. Factoring in local incomes, the value gets even better. Money stretches further here than in most of the country. Home prices here are genuinely accessible, with a median around $117,200. That kind of affordability is rare in today's market.

5.2% unemployment

Unemployment here is 5.2%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.

413 violent crimes per 100k

Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.

21 min average commute

Commutes are reasonable, averaging 20.7 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 8% work from home.

2 hospitals

There are 2 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.5 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.

21% bachelor's degree or higher

College degree attainment runs below average at 21%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.

6 public schools inside the boundary

There are 6 public schools inside the boundary and 7 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.

The nearest national park or historic site is Steamtown National Historic Site (15 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.