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City Report · PA

Hershey

Pop. 14,242·47th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rental market data updated monthly for Hershey, PA
Median rent (all units)
$1,941/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
-$24
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hershey · $1,941
More expensive than 56% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,941/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/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
Research median
$1,470/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,292/yr
At $1,941/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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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

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

Can you afford rent in Hershey on your salary?

At $1,941/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hershey is $1,941/mo as of July 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 30% of local median household income ($78,587/yr), Hershey ranks as moderate 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 moderate for renters. At $1,941/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($78,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hershey slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,941/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 July 2026.

How does Hershey rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Hershey is one of the pricier cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #47 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,941/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hershey?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hershey ($1,941/mo): Middletown ($1,322/mo), Mount Joy ($1,336/mo), Elizabethtown ($1,416/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 $1,941/mo is $24 (1%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #47 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,941/mo, rent takes ~30% of Hershey's median household income ($78,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hershey, PA

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