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City Report · PA

Butler

Pop. 13,212·159th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$991/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.9%
Month-over-Month
-2.0%
vs US Median
-$971
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Butler · $991
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $991/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$44,247/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Butler's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,170
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,610
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $991 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$11,892/yr
At $991/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 1.9% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.9% YoY, -2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Butler, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 23% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,212
Median income
$44,247
Median age
38.1
Renters
53.9%
Age distribution
19%
27%
26.4%
15.2%
12.4%
Under 1819%
18–3427%
35–5426.4%
55–6415.2%
65+12.4%
Gender
52%
48%
Male52%
Female48%
Race & ethnicity
90.5%
White90.5%
Black3.2%
Hispanic3%
Asian0.5%
Other2.8%
Education (25+)
38.3%
31.4%
23%
No HS diploma7.4%
HS diploma38.3%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+23%
Housing tenure
46.1%
53.9%
Owner46.1%
Renter53.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Butler, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$36,570 → $44,247
up 21.0%
Population
13,452 → 13,212
down 1.8%
Renter share
55% → 53.9%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
21.4% → 23%
+1.6 pts
Median age
39.4 → 38.1
-1.3 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $44,247 today, compared with $36,570 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 13,452 residents to roughly 13,212.

Community

Discussions about Butler

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View Butler rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Butler on your salary?

At $991/mo, how Butler rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Butler rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Butler. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Butler

About renting in Butler, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Butler is $991/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($44,247/yr), Butler ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Butler an affordable city for renters?

Butler is considered affordable for renters. At $991/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($44,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Butler falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Butler?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $991/mo in Butler. The local median household income is $44,247/yr, meaning the typical Butler household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Butler?

Rent in Butler has increased 1.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Butler rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Butler is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #159 out of 169 tracked cities at $991/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Butler?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Butler ($991/mo): Grove City ($738/mo), Rochester ($944/mo).

What percentage of Butler residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.9% of Butler households are renters, while 46.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Butler has a strong rental market.

How does Butler rent compare to the national average?

Butler's median rent of $991/mo is $971 (49%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #159 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $991/mo, rent takes ~27% of Butler's median household income ($44,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Butler 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Butler affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Butler, PA

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