2 Pa. cities among top 10 ‘most livable places’

A new report has listed the "most livable places" in the United States.

And not one, but two places in Pennsylvania made it into the top 10.

Conducted and published by RentCafe , the study ranked Pittsburgh as the eighth overall best metro area to live in. Harrisburg came in at 10th.

"Standing out as a socially active hub (#3 in location and community) with a higher-than-average number of college-educated students, the Pittsburgh metro area claims the eight spot," the study elaborates. "With a community that's as smart as it is social, it's no wonder that this metro area scores high when it comes to livability."

Harrisburg was also noted for its high-ranking status in the "Location & Community" category under which it ranked fourth.

Other Pennsylvania cities that made it onto the list — just not in as high standings as Pittsburgh and Harrisburg — were Philadelphia, Scranton, Allentown and Reading in 46th, 48th, 49th and 58th, respectively.

In first overall, however, was Portland, Maine. Lincoln, Neb., ranked second followed by Des Moines, Iowa, in third.

"With its mix of urban amenities and scenic natural landscapes, Portland, ME, metro area strikes that perfect balance between good living (#5 for quality of life) and "location, location, location" (#5 for location and community).

"It's no wonder, then, that the metro area is this year's reigning champion when it comes to livability. After, what's better than the aesthetic of a historic port area?"

These cities were found after RentCafe ranked areas with a population of at least 300,000 across three main categories: "Socioeconomics," "Quality of Life," and "Location & Community." Various submetrics such as "Cost of Living," "Physical Inactivity," and "Long Commute" were also factored in.