Is Pennsylvania dog friendly?

We analyzed 992 cities across Pennsylvania. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

✅State Preemption Law Active: Local cities in Pennsylvania are legally banned from enacting breed-specific legislation against your dog.

State Average Score

D+

1/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Levittown (B-)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

2.3clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

263days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 87 representative cities (10k+ residents) in Pennsylvania, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Levittown leads this 87 representative cities (10k+ residents) set, but the lead is relative rather than dominant. Its Paw Score Grade of B- suggests a city that still carries meaningful tradeoffs even though it currently ranks first inside Pennsylvania. Franklin Park lands at the bottom with a F, where sparse vet coverage, climate stress, or housing friction create a visibly weaker dog-ownership outlook.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in Pennsylvania fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $39/mo, moving to a high-demand area like Willow Street can push this implicit pet tax up to $86/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

Pennsylvania has a statewide BSL preemption law. That generally limits local governments from adopting new breed bans, which reduces policy risk for owners of commonly targeted breeds. Housing rules, enforcement practices, and older local language can still vary, so local verification still matters.

Ranked Cities in Pennsylvania

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

992 cities audited

Showing the first 87 of 87 representative cities in Pennsylvania.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Levittown	B-	263	$53	7	50,930
#2	State College	C+	263	$43	5.62	40,669
#3	New Castle	C	263	$24	3.16	21,727
#4	Washington	C	263	$31	4.28	13,361
#5	Williamsport	C	220	$29	4.56	27,629
#6	Roslyn	C	244	$40	5.4	10,150
#7	Norristown	C	244	$47	5.4	35,782
#8	Pottstown	C	231	$41	5.4	23,392
#9	Butler	C	263	$29	3.86	13,306
#10	Horsham	C	244	$44	5.4	15,866
#11	Lansdale	C-	244	$49	5.4	18,865
#12	New Kensington	C-	263	$24	3.43	12,072
#13	Ardmore	C-	263	$59	5.4	14,165
#14	Lower Burrell	C-	263	$31	3.43	11,659
#15	Willow Grove	C-	244	$59	5.4	13,919
#16	Erie	C-	232	$29	2.9	94,156
#17	Carlisle	C-	228	$35	3.7	21,335
#18	Greensburg	C-	235	$29	3.43	14,777
#19	Berwick	C-	263	$28	2.19	10,291
#20	Waynesboro	C-	263	$36	2.82	11,044
#21	Montgomeryville	C-	244	$68	5.4	13,572
#22	Lancaster	C-	228	$41	3.72	57,683
#23	Bloomsburg	C-	263	$33	2.19	12,906
#24	Pittsburgh	D+	263	$43	2.7	303,620
#25	Reading	C-	263	$36	2.5	94,836
#26	King of Prussia	D+	231	$70	5.4	25,025
#27	Chester	D+	249	$38	3.11	33,209
#28	Elizabethtown	D+	231	$36	3.72	11,857
#29	Ephrata	D+	228	$37	3.72	13,729
#30	Chambersburg	D+	236	$38	2.82	22,051
#31	Coatesville	D+	234	$51	4.13	13,323
#32	St. Marys	D+	196	$26	2.3	12,612
#33	Columbia	D+	228	$37	3.72	10,217
#34	Allentown	D+	219	$44	3.37	125,320
#35	York	D+	216	$34	3.14	44,830
#36	Sharon	D+	220	$27	2.57	13,019
#37	Yeadon	D+	249	$39	3.11	12,091
#38	Altoona	D+	227	$28	2.08	43,508
#39	West Mifflin	D+	235	$26	2.7	19,338
#40	Phoenixville	D+	231	$55	4.13	19,062
#41	Drexel Hill	D+	249	$46	3.11	30,015
#42	West Chester	D+	234	$58	4.13	19,235
#43	Johnstown	D+	224	$22	2.02	18,245
#44	Woodlyn	D+	249	$40	3.11	10,276
#45	McKeesport	D+	235	$28	2.7	17,520
#46	Hermitage	D+	220	$31	2.57	16,132
#47	Pottsville	D+	263	$29	1.82	13,374
#48	Scranton	D+	220	$35	2.53	76,074
#49	Hazleton	D+	263	$36	2.08	29,886
#50	Indiana	D+	224	$28	1.87	14,170
#51	Lansdowne	D+	249	$43	3.11	11,064
#52	Munhall	D+	235	$27	2.7	10,633
#53	Allison Park	D+	263	$42	2.7	22,108
#54	Murrysville	D+	235	$52	3.43	20,839
#55	Bethlehem	D+	219	$46	2.99	77,069
#56	Lebanon	D+	228	$36	2.37	26,600
#57	Hanover	D+	216	$38	3.14	16,483
#58	Whitehall	D+	235	$32	2.7	14,863
#59	Darby	D+	249	$47	3.11	10,664
#60	Philadelphia	D	263	$46	1.5	1,582,432
#61	Harrisburg	D	228	$35	2.31	50,092
#62	Easton	D	219	$43	2.99	29,079
#63	Baldwin	D	235	$36	2.7	21,159
#64	Wilkinsburg	D	235	$34	2.7	14,165
#65	Dunmore	D	220	$32	2.53	14,123
#66	Plum	D	235	$40	2.7	26,873
#67	Fullerton	D	219	$48	3.37	16,729
#68	Northampton	D	219	$40	2.99	10,366
#69	Monroeville	D	235	$41	2.7	28,383
#70	Meadville	D	225	$31	1.91	12,723
#71	Emmaus	D	219	$47	3.37	11,727
#72	Wilkes-Barre	D	220	$33	2.08	44,217
#73	Bethel Park	D	235	$44	2.7	33,070
#74	Nanticoke	D	220	$28	2.08	10,610
#75	Weigelstown	D	216	$48	3.14	15,401
#76	Mountain Top	D	220	$30	2.08	11,856
#77	Carnot-Moon	D	228	$41	2.7	13,639
#78	Kingston	D	220	$34	2.08	13,333
#79	Jefferson Hills	D	235	$45	2.7	12,313
#80	Hershey	D	231	$43	2.31	14,334
#81	Progress	D	228	$41	2.31	11,143
#82	Shiloh	D	216	$53	3.14	11,022
#83	Broomall	D	249	$62	3.11	10,684
#84	Colonial Park	D-	228	$45	2.31	18,125
#85	Wyomissing	D-	263	$61	2.5	11,100
#86	Willow Street	F	228	$86	3.72	10,010
#87	Franklin Park	F	228	$72	2.7	15,273

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 87 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Levittown currently ranks first in Pennsylvania. It posts a Paw Score grade of B-, supported by 263 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across Pennsylvania is approximately $39 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

Pennsylvania has a statewide Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) preemption law. That generally blocks local governments from adopting new breed bans, but you should still confirm local enforcement and housing rules before moving.