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City Report · PA

Carlisle

Pop. 21,852·93rd most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rental market data updated monthly for Carlisle, PA
Median rent (all units)
$1,508/mo
Year-over-Year
-4.3%
Month-over-Month
-5.2%
vs US Median
-$457
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carlisle · $1,508
More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
85/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 17% below what Carlisle's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,508/mo
Expected by trend
$1,827/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Carlisle's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$850
1 BR
$990
2 BR
$1,220
3 BR
$1,570
4 BR+
$1,620
Research median
$1,220/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,096/yr
At $1,508/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 4.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-4.3% YoY, -5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carlisle, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 37.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,852
Median income
$61,720
Median age
35.8
Renters
51.3%
Age distribution
15.2%
34.2%
19.9%
18.7%
Under 1815.2%
18–3434.2%
35–5419.9%
55–6412%
65+18.7%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
78.2%
White78.2%
Black10.1%
Hispanic8.4%
Asian2.6%
Other0.6%
Education (25+)
35.3%
20.3%
37.9%
No HS diploma6.4%
HS diploma35.3%
Some college20.3%
Bachelor's+37.9%
Housing tenure
48.7%
51.3%
Owner48.7%
Renter51.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Carlisle, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,186 → $1,508
up 27.2%
Income
$52,098 → $61,720
up 18.5%
Population
19,869 → 21,852
up 10.0%
Renter share
51.5% → 51.3%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
39.7% → 37.9%
-1.8 pts
Median age
34.9 → 35.8
+0.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Carlisle, PA has increased by $322 per month, settling near $1,508 after starting the period at $1,186. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $52,098 in 2021 to $61,720 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 8.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 19,869 to 21,852 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.0% change. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Carlisle, PA market of 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Carlisle on your salary?

At $1,508/mo, how Carlisle rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carlisle rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carlisle

About renting in Carlisle, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carlisle is $1,508/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,220/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $990/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,570/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($61,720/yr), Carlisle ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carlisle an affordable city for renters?

Carlisle is considered affordable for renters. At $1,508/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($61,720/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carlisle falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Carlisle?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,508/mo in Carlisle. The local median household income is $61,720/yr, meaning the typical Carlisle household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carlisle?

Rent in Carlisle has decreased 4.3% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Carlisle rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Carlisle is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #93 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,508/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carlisle?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carlisle ($1,508/mo): Lemoyne ($1,319/mo), Newville ($1,325/mo), Camp Hill ($1,491/mo).

What percentage of Carlisle residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.3% of Carlisle households are renters, while 48.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Carlisle has a strong rental market.

How does Carlisle rent compare to the national average?

Carlisle's median rent of $1,508/mo is $457 (23%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #93 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,508/mo, rent takes ~29% of Carlisle's median household income ($61,720/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carlisle 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Carlisle affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carlisle, PA

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