Greensburg, PA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Greensburg, PA: What You Need to Know

Greensburg is the seat of Westmoreland County. By all accounts, it’s also Western Pennsylvania’s cultural mecca.

The Local Culture

Tiny Greensburg (population: 14,113) is a cultural powerhouse in the region. Since 1959, the city’s Westmoreland Museum of American Art has been dazzling visitors with one of the biggest collections of American and southwestern Pennsylvania art. It presents rotating exhibits showcasing American sculptures and paintings from the 18th century through the 20th century. Greensburg also boasts of the Palace Theatre, home of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, which hosts performances throughout the year. The city is a haven for amateur theater groups such as Stage Right, Greensburg Civic Theater, Alabaster Productions, and Apple Hill Playhouse.

Greensburg’s History

In 1786, Westmoreland County built a courthouse, and the area surrounding the courthouse became Greensburg. Incorporated as a borough in 1799, it was named after American Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. The discovery of soft coal near Greensburg in the late 1800s and early 1900s turned it into a mining industry center. Greensburg became a city in 1928.

The Cost of Living in Greensburg

Greensburg’s cost of living is 3.2% lower than the national average, the same as Pittsburgh, only 33 miles away. Food and housing costs are pretty reasonable – 22.4% and 11.3% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in the city is $644. Pennsylvania levies 3.07% in income tax, the lowest among all the states with a flat tax. The statewide sales tax rate is 6%, but two counties charge an extra sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

You can expect a laid-back pace and suburban vibe in Greensburg, which is considered a Pittsburgh suburb. Residents praise their hometown’s affordability, safety, and the abundance of outdoor recreation, from hiking and biking to fishing and boating. Half of all residents are renters. If you prefer to live outside the city, Murrysville and North Huntingdon Township are nearby. They are both primarily residential areas with above-average schools and a welcoming environment, but not much of a nightlife.

The Local Weather and Climate 

The city receives about 33 inches of snow annually versus the U.S. average of 28 inches. On Feb. 5-6, 2010, Greensburg and Western Pennsylvania were hit by a storm dubbed “Snowmageddon,” which dumped 21.1 inches of snow. The city averages 44 inches of rain per year compared with the national average of 38 inches. There are typically 163 sunny days in Greensburg versus the U.S. average of 205 sunny days.