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City Report · PA

Elizabethtown

Pop. 11,925·108th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Elizabethtown rents are up 12.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,413/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
-$549
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Elizabethtown · $1,413
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,413/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$57,000/yr
Local median income
$76,105/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Elizabethtown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$1,100
2 BR
$1,380
3 BR
$1,800
4 BR+
$1,820
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,380/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,413 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
$16,956/yr
At $1,413/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.5% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Elizabethtown, PA is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,925
Median income
$76,105
Median age
34.9
Renters
41.8%
Age distribution
17.8%
32.4%
19.8%
13.4%
16.7%
Under 1817.8%
18–3432.4%
35–5419.8%
55–6413.4%
65+16.7%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
87.8%
White87.8%
Black2.6%
Hispanic5.3%
Asian1.7%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
36.1%
25%
31.4%
No HS diploma7.4%
HS diploma36.1%
Some college25%
Bachelor's+31.4%
Housing tenure
58.2%
41.8%
Owner58.2%
Renter41.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Elizabethtown, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,223 → $1,413
up 15.5%
Income
$61,803 → $76,105
up 23.1%
Population
11,574 → 11,925
up 3.0%
Renter share
48.9% → 41.8%
-7.1 pts
Bachelor's+
29.1% → 31.4%
+2.3 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Elizabethtown, PA has shifted from $1,223 to $1,413, up 15.5% since 2023. On the earnings side, the typical household in Elizabethtown, PA now reports about $76,105, up from $61,803 in 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Elizabethtown, PA adding about 351 residents over the five-year window, up 3.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 48.9% to 41.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 29.1% to 31.4% across the same window. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Elizabethtown, PA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Elizabethtown on your salary?

At $1,413/mo, how Elizabethtown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Elizabethtown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Elizabethtown

About renting in Elizabethtown, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Elizabethtown is $1,413/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,800/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($76,105/yr), Elizabethtown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Elizabethtown an affordable city for renters?

Elizabethtown is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,413/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($76,105/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Elizabethtown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Elizabethtown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,413/mo in Elizabethtown. The local median household income is $76,105/yr, meaning the typical Elizabethtown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Elizabethtown?

Rent in Elizabethtown has increased 12.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Elizabethtown rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Elizabethtown is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #108 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,413/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Elizabethtown?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Elizabethtown ($1,413/mo): Middletown ($1,351/mo), Mount Joy ($1,405/mo).

What percentage of Elizabethtown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.8% of Elizabethtown households are renters, while 58.2% are owner-occupied. Elizabethtown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Elizabethtown rent compare to the national average?

Elizabethtown's median rent of $1,413/mo is $549 (28%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #108 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,413/mo, rent takes ~22% of Elizabethtown's median household income ($76,105/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Elizabethtown 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Elizabethtown affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Public schools near Elizabethtown, PA

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