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City Report · PA

Emmaus

Pop. 11,889·70th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Emmaus rents are up 5.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,783/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.9%
Month-over-Month
+7.3%
vs US Median
-$179
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Emmaus · $1,783
More affordable than 55% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,783/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$83,917/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Emmaus's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,040
1 BR
$1,220
2 BR
$1,510
3 BR
$1,930
4 BR+
$2,010
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,510/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,783 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
$21,396/yr
At $1,783/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, +7.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Emmaus, PA is majority owner-occupied, 32.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,889
Median income
$83,917
Median age
39.1
Renters
36%
Age distribution
20.9%
21.4%
28.6%
12.6%
16.5%
Under 1820.9%
18–3421.4%
35–5428.6%
55–6412.6%
65+16.5%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
85.4%
White85.4%
Black3%
Hispanic7.4%
Asian3%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
34.3%
27.1%
32.1%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma34.3%
Some college27.1%
Bachelor's+32.1%
Housing tenure
64%
36%
Owner64%
Renter36%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Emmaus, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$75,750 → $83,917
up 10.8%
Population
11,589 → 11,889
up 2.6%
Renter share
35.4% → 36%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
28.5% → 32.1%
+3.6 pts
Median age
42 → 39.1
-2.9 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $75,750 in 2021 to $83,917 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 11,589 to 11,889 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.6% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 28.5% to 32.1%.

Community

Discussions about Emmaus

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

Can you afford rent in Emmaus on your salary?

At $1,783/mo, how Emmaus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Emmaus rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Emmaus

About renting in Emmaus, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Emmaus is $1,783/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,040/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,510/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,930/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($83,917/yr), Emmaus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Emmaus an affordable city for renters?

Emmaus is considered affordable for renters. At $1,783/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($83,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Emmaus falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Emmaus?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,783/mo in Emmaus. The local median household income is $83,917/yr, meaning the typical Emmaus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Emmaus?

Rent in Emmaus has increased 5.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Emmaus rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Emmaus is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #70 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,783/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Emmaus?

Allentown is nearby and more affordable at $1,735/mo, which is $48 less than Emmaus.

What percentage of Emmaus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36% of Emmaus households are renters, while 64% are owner-occupied. Emmaus leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Emmaus rent compare to the national average?

Emmaus's median rent of $1,783/mo is $179 (9%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #70 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,783/mo, rent takes ~25% of Emmaus's median household income ($83,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Emmaus 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Emmaus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Emmaus, PA

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