RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · PA

Hershey

Pop. 14,242·74th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rental market data updated monthly for Hershey, PA
Median rent (all units)
$1,742/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-10.3%
vs US Median
-$220
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Hershey rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hershey · $1,742
More affordable than 58% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,742/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$70,000/yr
Local median income
$78,587/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Hershey's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,020
1 BR
$1,190
2 BR
$1,470
3 BR
$1,890
4 BR+
$1,950
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,470/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,742 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,904/yr
At $1,742/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -10.3% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Hershey, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, 50.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,242
Median income
$78,587
Median age
38.6
Renters
46.3%
Age distribution
16.9%
28.5%
24.1%
21.2%
Under 1816.9%
18–3428.5%
35–5424.1%
55–649.4%
65+21.2%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
69.6%
12.9%
White69.6%
Black5.9%
Hispanic12.9%
Asian8.6%
Other2.9%
Education (25+)
20.9%
21.2%
50.2%
No HS diploma7.6%
HS diploma20.9%
Some college21.2%
Bachelor's+50.2%
Housing tenure
53.7%
46.3%
Owner53.7%
Renter46.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Hershey, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$69,626 → $78,587
up 12.9%
Population
14,619 → 14,242
down 2.6%
Renter share
47.4% → 46.3%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
46.8% → 50.2%
+3.4 pts
Median age
46.1 → 38.6
-7.5 yrs

Median household income rose from $69,626 to $78,587 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.9% shift. The population has contracted by 2.6% since 2021, moving from about 14,619 residents to roughly 14,242. College-educated residents now make up 50.2% of adults here, versus 46.8% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Hershey

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Hershey on your salary?

At $1,742/mo, how Hershey rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hershey rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hershey

About renting in Hershey, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Hershey is $1,742/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,020/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,890/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($78,587/yr), Hershey ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hershey an affordable city for renters?

Hershey is considered affordable for renters. At $1,742/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($78,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hershey falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Hershey?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,742/mo in Hershey. The local median household income is $78,587/yr, meaning the typical Hershey household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hershey?

Rent in Hershey has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Hershey rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Hershey is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #74 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,742/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hershey?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hershey ($1,742/mo): Middletown ($1,351/mo), Mount Joy ($1,405/mo), Elizabethtown ($1,413/mo).

What percentage of Hershey residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.3% of Hershey households are renters, while 53.7% are owner-occupied. Hershey leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hershey rent compare to the national average?

Hershey's median rent of $1,742/mo is $220 (11%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #74 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,742/mo, rent takes ~27% of Hershey's median household income ($78,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hershey 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Hershey affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hershey
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hershey, PA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Hershey.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google