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City Report · PA

Johnstown

Pop. 18,087·165th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Johnstown rents are up 12.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$864/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.1%
Month-over-Month
-2.7%
vs US Median
-$1,101
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Johnstown · $864
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$864/mo
Expected by trend
$854/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Johnstown's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$730
1 BR
$730
2 BR
$910
3 BR
$1,220
4 BR+
$1,340
Research median
$910/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
$10,368/yr
At $864/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.1% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Johnstown, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,087
Median income
$37,888
Median age
44
Renters
44.8%
Age distribution
22.4%
17.7%
24.8%
14.8%
20.3%
Under 1822.4%
18–3417.7%
35–5424.8%
55–6414.8%
65+20.3%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
70.5%
14.7%
White70.5%
Black14.7%
Hispanic6.2%
Asian1.1%
Other7.5%
Education (25+)
12.8%
46.8%
24.6%
15.8%
No HS diploma12.8%
HS diploma46.8%
Some college24.6%
Bachelor's+15.8%
Housing tenure
55.2%
44.8%
Owner55.2%
Renter44.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Johnstown, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$627 → $864
up 37.8%
Income
$31,200 → $37,888
up 21.4%
Population
18,647 → 18,087
down 3.0%
Renter share
48.9% → 44.8%
-4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
14.1% → 15.8%
+1.7 pts

Rent in Johnstown, PA has climbed 37.8% since 2021, going from about $627 per month to roughly $864 today. Household income in the area moved from $31,200 to $37,888 across the same window, up 21.4% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 16.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 18,647 to 18,087 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change. About 44.8% of households rent today, against 48.9% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Johnstown, PA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Johnstown on your salary?

At $864/mo, how Johnstown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Johnstown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Johnstown

About renting in Johnstown, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Johnstown is $864/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $910/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,220/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($37,888/yr), Johnstown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Johnstown an affordable city for renters?

Johnstown is considered affordable for renters. At $864/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($37,888/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Johnstown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Johnstown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $35,000/year (~$17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $864/mo in Johnstown. The local median household income is $37,888/yr, meaning the typical Johnstown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Johnstown?

Rent in Johnstown has increased 12.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Johnstown rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Johnstown is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #165 out of 167 tracked cities at $864/mo.

What percentage of Johnstown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.8% of Johnstown households are renters, while 55.2% are owner-occupied. Johnstown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Johnstown rent compare to the national average?

Johnstown's median rent of $864/mo is $1,101 (56%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #165 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $864/mo, rent takes ~27% of Johnstown's median household income ($37,888/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Johnstown, PA

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