Pennsylvania is a weird place. Honestly, if you live here, you already know that. We have "cities" that feel like tiny villages and "townships" that are basically massive sprawling metropolises. It is a total maze.
If you are looking for a list of cities in Pennsylvania alphabetically, you've probably noticed that everyone disagrees on what counts as a city. Some people include Upper Darby (a township) or State College (a borough). But legally? Pennsylvania only has 56 actual cities.
I’m going to break this down for you so it finally makes sense. No fluff. Just the facts about the 56 places that actually hold a "City" charter in the Keystone State as of 2026.
The Official 56: List of Cities in Pennsylvania Alphabetically
Let’s get straight to the list. These are the incorporated cities. You’ll notice some names you recognize and a few that might make you say, "Wait, that’s a city?" Yes, even Parker, with its tiny population, is technically a city.
- Aliquippa
- Allentown
- Altoona
- Arnold
- Beaver Falls
- Bethlehem
- Bradford
- Butler
- Carbondale
- Chester
- Clairton
- Coatesville
- Connellsville
- Corry
- DuBois
- Duquesne
- Easton
- Erie
- Farrell
- Franklin
- Greensburg
- Harrisburg
- Hazleton
- Hermitage
- Jeannette
- Johnstown
- Lancaster
- Lebanon
- Lock Haven
- Lower Burrell
- McKeesport
- Meadville
- Monessen
- Monongahela
- Nanticoke
- New Castle
- New Kensington
- Oil City
- Parker (The smallest one!)
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Pittston
- Pottsville
- Reading
- Scranton
- Shamokin
- Sharon
- St. Marys
- Sunbury
- Titusville
- Uniontown
- Warren
- Washington
- Wilkes-Barre
- Williamsport
- York
Why is this list so short?
You might be looking for State College or Norristown. Kinda weird they aren't here, right? Well, State College is a borough. Norristown is a borough too. In PA, being a "city" isn't just about how many people live there. It’s about the legal structure of the government.
A township can have 80,000 people (like Upper Darby) and still not be a city. Meanwhile, Parker has fewer than 700 people and it’s still on the list.
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Understanding the "Class" System
Pennsylvania doesn't just call everything a city and move on. They have a ranking system based on population. It’s a bit like a sports league, but with more paperwork.
First Class Cities: Only Philadelphia. To be here, you need over 1 million people. Philly is in a league of its own.
Second Class Cities: Pittsburgh. This is for the 250,000 to 1 million range.
Second Class A Cities: This is basically just Scranton. They have a specific population range (80,000 to 250,000) and chose this specific designation.
Third Class Cities: Everyone else. From Allentown down to Parker. There are 53 of these. Most of them use a "Mayor-Council" or "Commission" form of government, but some have "Home Rule" charters which lets them act a bit more independently.
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The "Town" Confusion
Did you know Pennsylvania only has ONE official town? Just one. Bloomsburg.
Every other place you think of as a "town" is legally either a borough, a township, or a city. If you’re ever at a bar and want to win a bet, ask someone to name the only town in PA. It’s Bloomsburg. Every time.
Cities vs. Boroughs
Generally, boroughs are smaller, but that’s not a hard rule. A lot of boroughs could become cities if they wanted to, but they don't because the tax rules and government requirements change. Most boroughs have a "Weak Mayor" system where the Borough Council holds most of the power.
Cities usually have more centralized authority. If you’re looking through the list of cities in Pennsylvania alphabetically, you’ll see places like Nanticoke or Arnold. These are small, but they chose the city life long ago.
Why People Get This List Wrong
If you search for "Pennsylvania cities," Google often shows you a mix of everything. It'll throw in King of Prussia (not a city, not even a borough—it's part of Upper Merion Township) and Levittown (a "census-designated place").
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Real PA experts know the difference. The 56 cities listed above are the only ones with a city charter.
Surprising Facts About PA Cities
- Parker City is often called the "Smallest City in the USA." While that’s debated, it’s definitely the smallest in PA.
- St. Marys is huge in terms of land. It’s about 99 square miles! Most cities are tiny pockets of land, but St. Marys consolidated with a township and now it’s a giant.
- Bethlehem sits in two different counties: Lehigh and Northampton. Talk about a headache for local planners.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Search
If you are planning a move or doing research, don't just look for "cities."
- Check the Municipality: Go to the official county website. Look to see if the place is a "City," "Borough," or "Township."
- Tax Implications: Each type of municipality has different taxing powers. Cities often have higher local services taxes than rural townships.
- School Districts: In PA, school districts usually don't match city lines perfectly. Always check the specific district map.
To get the most accurate data for 2026, always reference the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). They keep the master list of who is who in our messy, beautiful state.
If you're visiting, remember that "downtown" in a Third Class City like Easton or Lancaster is often more walkable and historic than the newer "townships" where the big box stores are. Stick to the cities for the history and the townships for the parking lots.