RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · PA

Darby

Pop. 10,687·92nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rental market data updated monthly for Darby, PA
Median rent (all units)
$1,588/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.4%
vs US Median
-$374
Stable (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Darby rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Darby · $1,588
More affordable than 70% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
48% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,588/mo, rent takes about 48% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$64,000/yr
Local median income
$39,863/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Darby's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$902
1 BR
$1,064
2 BR
$1,001
3 BR
$1,577
4 BR+
$1,827
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,001/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,588 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$19,056/yr
At $1,588/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Darby, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,687
Median income
$39,863
Median age
34.9
Renters
50.1%
Age distribution
28.8%
21.3%
25.4%
12.8%
Under 1828.8%
18–3421.3%
35–5425.4%
55–6411.7%
65+12.8%
Gender
46.6%
53.4%
Male46.6%
Female53.4%
Race & ethnicity
84%
White9.8%
Black84%
Hispanic2.1%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
40.8%
32.5%
15.5%
No HS diploma11.2%
HS diploma40.8%
Some college32.5%
Bachelor's+15.5%
Housing tenure
49.9%
50.1%
Owner49.9%
Renter50.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Darby, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,388 → $39,863
down 22.4%
Population
10,688 → 10,687
up 0.0%
Renter share
52.3% → 50.1%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
15.6% → 15.5%
-0.1 pts
Median age
33.4 → 34.9
+1.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $39,863 today, compared with $51,388 five years earlier. The renter share has eased from 52.3% to 50.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Darby

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Darby on your salary?

At $1,588/mo, how Darby rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Darby rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Darby

About renting in Darby, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Darby is $1,588/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $902/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,001/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,064/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,577/mo.

At 48% of local median household income ($39,863/yr), Darby ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Darby an affordable city for renters?

Darby is considered stretched for renters. At $1,588/mo, rent takes approximately 48% of the local median household income ($39,863/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Darby significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Darby?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,588/mo in Darby. The local median household income is $39,863/yr, meaning the typical Darby household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Darby?

Rent in Darby has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Darby rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Darby is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #92 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,588/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Darby?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Darby ($1,588/mo): Upper Darby ($1,281/mo), Collingdale ($1,395/mo), Lansdowne ($1,425/mo).

What percentage of Darby residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.1% of Darby households are renters, while 49.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Darby has a strong rental market.

How does Darby rent compare to the national average?

Darby's median rent of $1,588/mo is $374 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #92 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
48%
STRETCHED

At $1,588/mo, rent takes ~48% of Darby's median household income ($39,863/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Darby 48%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Darby affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Darby, PA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Darby.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google