Cost of Living in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Lehigh County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lehigh County ranks #2,496 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 21%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Lehigh faces Pennsylvania's highest rent burden
Lehigh County renters dedicate 20.5% of their $77,493 median household income to rent—the highest ratio in this dataset and well above the national affordability comfort zone. Despite earning above the national median of $74,755, Lehigh households face the steepest relative housing costs.
State's most strained rental market
Lehigh County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, marking it as the state's most affordability-stressed county in this analysis. The $1,326 median rent towers over the state average of $960, creating genuine hardship for renters.
Lehigh commands region's steepest rents
Lehigh renters pay $1,326 monthly—$596 more than Juniata County and $239 more than nearby Lancaster County—making it the region's most expensive rental market. Even homeowners face pressure: the $1,420 monthly ownership cost ranks highest among all eight counties analyzed.
Lehigh's housing squeeze
On a $77,493 annual income ($6,458 monthly), Lehigh households spend $1,326 on rent and $1,420 on ownership costs—totaling 44% of gross income on housing alone. This leaves only 56% for all other expenses: food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and savings.
Lehigh: reconsider if affordability matters
Lehigh County renters should seriously evaluate nearby Lancaster or Lebanon counties, where housing costs are $200+ cheaper monthly while maintaining strong job markets. If relocating beyond the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania counties like Juniata offer identical earning potential with one-third the rental costs.
Cost of Living Advisory: Lehigh County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Lehigh County is affordable. The median rent is $1,326/month against a median household income of $77,493, putting rent at 20.5% of income.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Lehigh County is $1,326/month, while owner costs run $1,420/month. Renting saves approximately $94/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $53,040/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $60,857/year. With a median household income of $77,493, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 32.0% of renter households in Lehigh County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Pennsylvania, Lehigh County is less affordable than Pike County by roughly 4% ($1,326/mo vs $1,383/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lehigh County
Rent Burden
20.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,808
per month
Owner Cost Burden
22.0%
of gross income
The median home in Lehigh County may be a stretch
Median home value is $276,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,204 vs. your max of $1,808.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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