At $1,898/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,898 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Emmaus changed +1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Pennsylvania cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.6%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($83,917) is $2,098 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,010).
Allentown, 6 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,686/mo), about $2,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Emmaus. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Emmaus, PA is majority owner-occupied, 32.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Emmaus, PA has changed in 5 years
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%.
Discussions about Emmaus
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Emmaus on your salary?
At $1,898/mo, how Emmaus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Emmaus rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Emmaus. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Emmaus
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Emmaus is $1,898/mo as of October 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 27% of local median household income ($83,917/yr), Emmaus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Emmaus?
Is rent going up or down in Emmaus?
How does Emmaus rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
At $1,898/mo, rent takes ~27% of Emmaus's median household income ($83,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Emmaus.
No discussions yet.