Pros of McKeesport, PA

1. Very low cost of living

• Cost of living index ≈ 84 (well below U.S. average)
• Median home value around ~$90K
• Rent is also cheap (~$700–800 range)

One of the cheapest places to live near a major city

2. Close to Pittsburgh (big advantage)

• About 20–30 minutes from Pittsburgh
   Access to:
• Jobs
• Hospitals
• Airports
• Entertainment

This is what makes McKeesport more viable than many similar towns.

3. Affordable homeownership

• You can buy a house for the price of a car in some cases
• Good for:
  • First-time buyers
  • Investors
  • Fixer-upper projects

4. Strong history & character

• Former steel town with deep industrial roots
• Some historic homes and neighborhoods still remain

5. Outdoor access

• Near rivers and trails (Great Allegheny Passage nearby)
   Decent for biking, fishing, and nature access

 Cons of McKeesport, PA

1. High crime rate (major issue)

• Crime rate ~100% higher than the national average
• Among the least safe cities in Pennsylvania
• Roughly 1 in 22 chance of being a victim of crime

 This is the biggest drawback, and neighborhood choice matters a lot

2. Very high poverty rate

• Around 32–33% of residents live in poverty

 That’s nearly 3x the Pennsylvania average

3. Weak job market

• Median household income ≈ $31K
• Unemployment around 10%

 Most people rely on commuting or lower-paying jobs

4. Population decline & urban decay

• Population dropped dramatically over decades (typical Rust Belt trend)
• Many:
  • Abandoned buildings
  • Vacant lots
  • Aging infrastructure

 Can feel run-down in many areas

5. Limited amenities

• Fewer:
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping options
  • Entertainment

 You’ll likely go to Pittsburgh for most activities

6. Mixed reputation / quality of life

From local perspectives (Reddit-type discussions):

“There are some parts that are dangerous… others aren’t bad at all.”

“Crime mainly revolves around drugs and gangs… not random.”

 Translation:

• It’s very neighborhood-dependent
• Some areas are livable, others rough

 Bottom line

McKeesport is good if you want:

• Extremely cheap housing
• Access to Pittsburgh without paying Pittsburgh prices
• A place to invest or fix up property

McKeesport is NOT ideal if you want:

• Safety (this is the biggest concern)
• Strong job opportunities
• A clean, thriving environment