Moving to Wilkes-Barre: Pros, Cons & What to Know

Moving to Wilkes-Barre means moving to Scranton's real, distinct NEPA twin city -- home to King's College and Wilkes University, genuinely affordable housing, and a real, historic flood legacy worth understanding before you buy.

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A distinct twin city, not a Scranton suburb

Wilkes-Barre shares the broader Wyoming Valley region and anthracite-mining heritage with Scranton, but carries its own real, distinct identity -- King's College and Wilkes University's dual presence, and a real, essentially flat recent population trend, a genuine contrast to Scranton's own modest decline.

Understand the real 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood legacy

The Susquehanna River levee was topped at 38.5 feet in 1972, forcing a 4-day evacuation of the entire city -- confirm current flood-insurance requirements directly for any property near the river.

Confirm the real, elevated combined local income tax

Wilkes-Barre's cited combined city income tax runs approximately 3.00% for residents -- genuinely higher than the Act 511 1% default several other Pennsylvania municipalities observe.

Key takeaways

Wilkes-Barre is Scranton's real, distinct NEPA twin city, not a suburb -- with its own identity and population trend.
The real, historic 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood is a genuine, documented hazard worth confirming for riverside properties.
The combined local income tax (~3.00%) runs notably higher than the Act 511 1% default.

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Read the full Wilkes-Barre overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.