At $1,282/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,282 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Clairton changed +11.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Pennsylvania cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.6%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($36,538) is $913 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($1,080).
McKeesport, 4 miles away, rents for 18% less ($1,054/mo), about $2,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Clairton. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Clairton, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Clairton, PA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $36,538 today, compared with $37,544 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 6,245 to 6,044 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.2% change. About 38.9% of households rent today, against 42.1% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Clairton on your salary?
At $1,282/mo, how Clairton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Clairton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Clairton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Clairton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Clairton is $1,282/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,160/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,770/mo.
At 42% of local median household income ($36,538/yr), Clairton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Clairton?
Is rent going up or down in Clairton?
How does Clairton rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clairton?
At $1,282/mo, rent takes ~42% of Clairton's median household income ($36,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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