What to know when moving to Scranton, PA
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
The crime rates in Pennsylvania show a trend towards improvement, with both property and violent crime decreasing over the last few years.
- Violent crime: 228.5 per 100k in 2025, down 28.4% since 2022, compared to the national rate of 325.3.
- Property crime: 1363.9 per 100k in 2025, down 15.4% since 2022, while the national rate is 1546.9.
- Notable trend: The homicide rate is down 55% since 2022, with 4.2 per 100k in 2025.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for Pennsylvania).
Schools & Higher Ed
Scranton has access to a total of 14 postsecondary institutions in the nearby region, with a strong presence of options in Lackawanna County.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 14
- Institutions with College Scorecard data: 13
- Notable schools include:
- University of Scranton
- Marywood University
- Lackawanna College
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations (NCES) + College Scorecard (ED).
Weather & Getting Outside
For outdoor activities, Scranton features several noteworthy parks and recreation areas that are popular with residents and visitors alike.
- Nay Aug Park: 4.5 stars from 3,757 reviews
- Steamtown National Historic Site: 4.7 stars from 3,594 reviews
- McDade Park: 4.7 stars from 1,905 reviews
- Montage Mountain Resorts: 4.0 stars from 1,456 reviews
- The Electric City Trolley Museum: 4.6 stars from 657 reviews
Source: Google Places API (New).