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City Report · PA

Clairton

Pop. 6,044·124th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Clairton rents are up 13.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,377/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.6%
Month-over-Month
-3.9%
vs US Median
-$585
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Clairton · $1,377
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
45% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,377/mo, rent takes about 45% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$55,000/yr
Local median income
$36,538/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Clairton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,080
1 BR
$1,160
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,770
4 BR+
$1,910
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,390/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,377 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
$16,524/yr
At $1,377/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (13.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.6% YoY, -3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
6,044
Median income
$36,538
Median age
41.5
Renters
38.9%
Age distribution
24.7%
17.5%
18.9%
14.4%
24.4%
Under 1824.7%
18–3417.5%
35–5418.9%
55–6414.4%
65+24.4%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
45.4%
44.3%
White45.4%
Black44.3%
Hispanic4%
Other6.3%
Education (25+)
36.4%
35.1%
21.2%
No HS diploma7.3%
HS diploma36.4%
Some college35.1%
Bachelor's+21.2%
Housing tenure
61.1%
38.9%
Owner61.1%
Renter38.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Clairton, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$37,544 → $36,538
down 2.7%
Population
6,245 → 6,044
down 3.2%
Renter share
42.1% → 38.9%
-3.2 pts
Bachelor's+
20.2% → 21.2%
+1.0 pts

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.

Community

Discussions about Clairton

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

Can you afford rent in Clairton on your salary?

At $1,377/mo, how Clairton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Clairton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clairton

About renting in Clairton, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Clairton is $1,377/mo as of August 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 45% of local median household income ($36,538/yr), Clairton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clairton an affordable city for renters?

Clairton is considered stretched for renters. At $1,377/mo, rent takes approximately 45% of the local median household income ($36,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clairton significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Clairton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,377/mo in Clairton. The local median household income is $36,538/yr, meaning the typical Clairton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clairton?

Rent in Clairton has increased 13.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Clairton rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Clairton is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #124 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,377/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clairton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Clairton ($1,377/mo): McKeesport ($1,044/mo), Homestead ($1,291/mo), South Park ($1,366/mo).

What percentage of Clairton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.9% of Clairton households are renters, while 61.1% are owner-occupied. Clairton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Clairton rent compare to the national average?

Clairton's median rent of $1,377/mo is $585 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #124 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
45%
STRETCHED

At $1,377/mo, rent takes ~45% of Clairton's median household income ($36,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clairton 45%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Clairton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Clairton
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Clairton, PA

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