City Report · PA

Downingtown

Pop. 8,255·11th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Downingtown rents are up 5.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,464/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.4%
Month-over-Month
+4.1%
vs US Median
+$499
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Downingtown · $2,464
More expensive than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Downingtown's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,464/mo
Expected by trend
$2,578/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Downingtown's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,510
1 BR
$1,660
2 BR
$1,980
3 BR
$2,390
4 BR+
$2,710
Research median
$1,980/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
$29,568/yr
At $2,464/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.4% YoY, +4.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Downingtown, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 49.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,255
Median income
$96,228
Median age
38.9
Renters
52%
Age distribution
20.2%
23.9%
29.4%
13.3%
13.2%
Under 1820.2%
18–3423.9%
35–5429.4%
55–6413.3%
65+13.2%
Gender
48.2%
51.8%
Male48.2%
Female51.8%
Race & ethnicity
63.7%
13%
15.3%
White63.7%
Black13%
Hispanic6.7%
Asian15.3%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
27.2%
20.8%
49.2%
No HS diploma2.8%
HS diploma27.2%
Some college20.8%
Bachelor's+49.2%
Housing tenure
48%
52%
Owner48%
Renter52%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Downingtown, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,727 → $2,464
up 42.7%
Income
$72,669 → $96,228
up 32.4%
Population
8,047 → 8,255
up 2.6%
Renter share
47.7% → 52%
+4.3 pts
Bachelor's+
40.5% → 49.2%
+8.7 pts

Rent in Downingtown, PA has climbed 42.7% since 2021, going from about $1,727 per month to roughly $2,464 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $72,669 in 2021 to $96,228 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 10.3 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 8,047 to 8,255 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.6% change. About 52% of households rent today, against 47.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 40.5% to 49.2%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Downingtown, PA market of 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Downingtown on your salary?

At $2,464/mo, how Downingtown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Downingtown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Downingtown

About renting in Downingtown, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Downingtown is $2,464/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,510/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,660/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,390/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($96,228/yr), Downingtown ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Downingtown an affordable city for renters?

Downingtown is considered moderate for renters. At $2,464/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($96,228/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Downingtown slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Downingtown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,464/mo in Downingtown. The local median household income is $96,228/yr, meaning the typical Downingtown household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Downingtown?

Rent in Downingtown has increased 5.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Downingtown rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Downingtown is one of the pricier cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #11 out of 167 tracked cities at $2,464/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Downingtown?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Downingtown ($2,464/mo): Coatesville ($1,725/mo), Thorndale ($1,958/mo), West Chester ($2,201/mo).

What percentage of Downingtown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52% of Downingtown households are renters, while 48% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Downingtown has a strong rental market.

How does Downingtown rent compare to the national average?

Downingtown's median rent of $2,464/mo is $499 (25%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #11 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,464/mo, rent takes ~31% of Downingtown's median household income ($96,228/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Downingtown 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Downingtown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Downingtown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Downingtown, PA

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