Pennsylvania Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 67 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$960/mo
Average Home Value
$200,333
Average Owner Cost
$995/mo
At a Glance
Housing Costs in Pennsylvania: An Overview
The median rent in Pennsylvania is $960 per month, which is 17% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within Pennsylvania, housing costs vary significantly by county. Chester County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,691 per month and a median home value of $461,800. At the other end of the spectrum, Cameron County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $699 per month and homes valued at a median of $88,200.
The average home value across Pennsylvania counties is $200,333, 29% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $69,614, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to Pennsylvania, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Pennsylvania
How median rents are spread across 67 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
All Pennsylvania Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester County | Expensive$1,691/mo | $461,800 | $2,051/mo | 28.0% |
| Montgomery County | Expensive$1,612/mo | $409,900 | $1,905/mo | 29.0% |
| Bucks County | Expensive$1,537/mo | $421,700 | $1,872/mo | 29.0% |
| Pike County | Moderate$1,383/mo | $250,900 | $1,321/mo | 31.0% |
| Monroe County | Moderate$1,347/mo | $241,200 | $1,384/mo | 32.0% |
| Northampton County | Moderate$1,335/mo | $285,000 | $1,418/mo | 30.0% |
| Lehigh County | Moderate$1,326/mo | $276,100 | $1,420/mo | 32.0% |
| Philadelphia County | Moderate$1,323/mo | $232,400 | $1,100/mo | 31.0% |
| Delaware County | Moderate$1,315/mo | $302,400 | $1,646/mo | 32.0% |
| Lancaster County | Moderate$1,289/mo | $279,400 | $1,323/mo | 28.0% |
| Cumberland County | Moderate$1,184/mo | $261,900 | $1,302/mo | 26.0% |
| Centre County | Moderate$1,181/mo | $308,100 | $1,265/mo | 34.0% |
| Dauphin County | Moderate$1,153/mo | $222,300 | $1,232/mo | 27.0% |
| York County | Moderate$1,150/mo | $235,000 | $1,337/mo | 28.0% |
| Berks County | Moderate$1,143/mo | $239,700 | $1,308/mo | 29.0% |
| Allegheny County | Moderate$1,111/mo | $216,700 | $1,154/mo | 27.0% |
| Lebanon County | Moderate$1,087/mo | $227,300 | $1,127/mo | 28.0% |
| Adams County | Moderate$1,084/mo | $256,100 | $1,330/mo | 27.0% |
| Franklin County | Moderate$1,071/mo | $236,300 | $1,169/mo | 25.0% |
| Montour County | Moderate$1,057/mo | $240,300 | $1,002/mo | 27.0% |
| Butler County | Moderate$1,018/mo | $275,600 | $1,130/mo | 26.0% |
| Wayne County | Affordable$979/mo | $228,200 | $957/mo | 29.0% |
| Carbon County | Affordable$975/mo | $193,700 | $1,035/mo | 26.0% |
| Lackawanna County | Affordable$973/mo | $189,900 | $1,057/mo | 28.0% |
| Luzerne County | Affordable$958/mo | $163,800 | $973/mo | 28.0% |
| Union County | Affordable$944/mo | $222,900 | $1,057/mo | 29.0% |
| Washington County | Affordable$922/mo | $220,600 | $1,009/mo | 24.0% |
| Susquehanna County | Affordable$913/mo | $206,700 | $834/mo | 26.0% |
| Columbia County | Affordable$904/mo | $199,200 | $852/mo | 27.0% |
| Wyoming County | Affordable$897/mo | $205,600 | $987/mo | 24.0% |
| Snyder County | Affordable$890/mo | $205,500 | $893/mo | 26.0% |
| Lycoming County | Affordable$887/mo | $195,600 | $1,026/mo | 29.0% |
| Erie County | Affordable$876/mo | $169,500 | $914/mo | 29.0% |
| Bradford County | Affordable$868/mo | $182,300 | $829/mo | 25.0% |
| Beaver County | Affordable$867/mo | $185,500 | $1,001/mo | 26.0% |
| Blair County | Affordable$854/mo | $156,700 | $851/mo | 29.0% |
| Tioga County | Affordable$850/mo | $176,000 | $771/mo | 27.0% |
| Westmoreland County | Affordable$843/mo | $193,100 | $954/mo | 26.0% |
| Schuylkill County | Affordable$842/mo | $140,400 | $817/mo | 25.0% |
| Perry County | Affordable$838/mo | $222,800 | $1,181/mo | 26.0% |
| Clinton County | Affordable$815/mo | $179,100 | $881/mo | 28.0% |
| Forest County | Affordable$808/mo | $111,900 | $481/mo | 24.0% |
| Mercer County | Affordable$808/mo | $153,600 | $767/mo | 27.0% |
| Armstrong County | Affordable$802/mo | $146,300 | $730/mo | 25.0% |
| Crawford County | Affordable$800/mo | $143,400 | $764/mo | 26.0% |
| Huntingdon County | Affordable$795/mo | $180,300 | $780/mo | 24.0% |
| Mifflin County | Affordable$792/mo | $142,900 | $804/mo | 25.0% |
| Clearfield County | Affordable$788/mo | $125,000 | $748/mo | 27.0% |
| Indiana County | Affordable$786/mo | $145,400 | $760/mo | 28.0% |
| Clarion County | Affordable$785/mo | $152,100 | $737/mo | 27.0% |
| Fulton County | Affordable$781/mo | $206,000 | $817/mo | 19.0% |
| Sullivan County | Affordable$781/mo | $186,400 | $766/mo | 25.0% |
| Lawrence County | Affordable$778/mo | $136,700 | $865/mo | 30.0% |
| Northumberland County | Affordable$777/mo | $151,600 | $792/mo | 25.0% |
| Venango County | Affordable$774/mo | $114,500 | $668/mo | 25.0% |
| Bedford County | Affordable$771/mo | $172,900 | $741/mo | 29.0% |
| Fayette County | Affordable$771/mo | $126,900 | $752/mo | 27.0% |
| McKean County | Affordable$769/mo | $98,700 | $691/mo | 26.0% |
| Potter County | Affordable$767/mo | $146,200 | $720/mo | 24.0% |
| Warren County | Affordable$756/mo | $121,800 | $650/mo | 24.0% |
| Greene County | Affordable$754/mo | $146,200 | $754/mo | 25.0% |
| Somerset County | Affordable$749/mo | $130,600 | $751/mo | 26.0% |
| Jefferson County | Affordable$746/mo | $126,700 | $673/mo | 27.0% |
| Cambria County | Affordable$733/mo | $115,900 | $699/mo | 27.0% |
| Juniata County | Affordable$730/mo | $206,300 | $848/mo | 21.0% |
| Elk County | Affordable$720/mo | $128,600 | $643/mo | 27.0% |
| Cameron County | Affordable$699/mo | $88,200 | $595/mo | 30.0% |
Compare Pennsylvania to Other States
See how Pennsylvania counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Housing Costs
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What is the most expensive county to live in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Pennsylvania?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.