Rents are 4% above what Erie's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $1,089 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: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Erie, PA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Erie, PA has increased from $753 to $1,089, a 44.6% 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.
Discussions about Erie
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Erie on your salary?
At $1,089/mo, how Erie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Erie rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Erie. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Erie
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Erie is $1,089/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($46,113/yr), Erie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erie an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Erie?
Is rent going up or down in Erie?
Which Erie neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Erie rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Erie?
What percentage of Erie residents rent vs. own?
How does Erie rent compare to the national average?
At $1,089/mo, rent takes ~28% of Erie's median household income ($46,113/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 Erie.
No discussions yet.
