Cost of Living in Luzerne 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 Luzerne County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Luzerne County ranks #2,180 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 31%)
Sourced county brief
Luzerne County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $1,004 Per Month
Luzerne County's median gross rent was estimated at $1,004 per month, which is $13 above the Pennsylvania unweighted county mean of $991. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.6%, a value that is 0.9 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 27.7%. For owner-occupied households, the median selected monthly owner cost was $999, slightly below the state unweighted county mean of $1,010. The median home value in the county was $174,100, compared to the Pennsylvania unweighted county mean of $212,079. Median income for renter households was $38,462. 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: Luzerne County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.6% of renter household income in Luzerne 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 $1,004 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $999. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $40,160 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. Luzerne County's $1,004 median is 1.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Luzerne County
Rent Burden
18.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,486
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Luzerne County
Median home value is $174,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,390 vs. your max of $1,486.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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