Cost of Living in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Lackawanna County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lackawanna County ranks #2,291 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 27%)
Sourced county brief
Lackawanna County Median Gross Rent Surpasses State Unweighted Mean
Lackawanna County recorded a median gross rent of $1,007 per month, an amount that is $16 higher than the Pennsylvania unweighted county mean of $991. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) stood at 29.2%, which is 1.5 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 27.7%. Renter-household median income was estimated at $39,028. For owner-occupied properties, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,078, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $1,010. The median home value in the county was $201,800, which is below the Pennsylvania unweighted county mean of $212,079. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Lackawanna County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.2% of renter household income in Lackawanna County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,007 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,078. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $40,280 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Pennsylvania unweighted mean of county median rents is $991 per month. Lackawanna County's $1,007 median is 1.6% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lackawanna County
Rent Burden
18.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,545
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.5%
of gross income
The median home in Lackawanna County may be a stretch
Median home value is $201,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,611 vs. your max of $1,545.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania?
What is the median rent in Lackawanna County?
Is Lackawanna County affordable?
How does Lackawanna County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Lackawanna County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Lackawanna County
Whether you're buying in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.