How much does it cost to rent in Erie, PA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Erie, PA is $1,036. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Erie cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?

Erie is among the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania, ranking #147 out of 167 cities at $1,036/mo.

When was Erie rent data last updated?

Erie rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Erie a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Erie is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 2.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · PA

Erie

Name: Average Rent Prices in Erie, PA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 93,850·147th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,036/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.4%

Month-over-Month

-3.3%

vs US Median

-$929

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Erie rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Erie · $1,036

More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

51/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Erie's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,036/mo

Expected by trend

$1,041/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Erie's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$748

1 BR

$828

2 BR

$1,073

3 BR

$1,338

4 BR+

$1,450

Research median

$1,073/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$12,432/yr

At $1,036/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 2.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, -3.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Erie, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

93,850

Median income

$46,113

Median age

34.8

Renters

45.9%

Age distribution

21.4%

28.9%

21.3%

12.1%

16.4%

Under 1821.4%

18–3428.9%

35–5421.3%

55–6412.1%

65+16.4%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

67.4%

16.9%

White67.4%

Black16.9%

Hispanic8.6%

Asian2.8%

Other4.3%

Education (25+)

38.7%

27.5%

23.1%

No HS diploma10.7%

HS diploma38.7%

Some college27.5%

Bachelor's+23.1%

Housing tenure

54.1%

45.9%

Owner54.1%

Renter45.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Erie, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$753 → $1,036

up 37.6%

Income

$40,201 → $46,113

up 14.7%

Population

95,536 → 93,850

down 1.8%

Renter share

47.9% → 45.9%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

22.2% → 23.1%

+0.9 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Erie, PA has increased from $753 to $1,036, a 37.6% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $40,201 to $46,113 across the same window, up 14.7% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 95,536 residents to roughly 93,850. Renters now make up 45.9% of households, compared with 47.9% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Erie, PA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Erie

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View Erie rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Erie on your salary?

At $1,036/mo, how Erie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 13.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 18.7% income

very comfortable

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 16.3% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 9.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 7.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 20% income

very comfortable

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 22.1% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 18% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Erie rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Erie

About renting in Erie, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Erie is $1,036/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $748/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,073/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $828/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,338/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($46,113/yr), Erie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Erie an affordable city for renters?

Erie is considered affordable for renters. At $1,036/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($46,113/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Erie falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Erie?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $41,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,036/mo in Erie. The local median household income is $46,113/yr, meaning the typical Erie household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Erie?

Rent in Erie has increased 2.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Erie neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Erie are 16503 ($825/mo), 16505 ($838/mo), and 16502 ($915/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Erie is $1,036/mo.

How does Erie rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Erie is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #147 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,036/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Erie?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Erie ($1,036/mo): Grove City ($772/mo), Meadville ($871/mo), Sharon ($1,023/mo).

What percentage of Erie residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.9% of Erie households are renters, while 54.1% are owner-occupied. Erie leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Erie rent compare to the national average?

Erie's median rent of $1,036/mo is $929 (47%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #147 out of 167 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

27%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,036/mo, rent takes ~27% of Erie's median household income ($46,113/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Erie 27%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.07%

Run the Erie affordability calculator →

Nearby cities