City Report · PA

Malvern

Pop. 3,435·22nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rental market data updated monthly for Malvern, PA
Median rent (all units)
$2,308/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.3%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
+$343
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Malvern · $2,308
More expensive than 73% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Malvern's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,308/mo
Expected by trend
$2,470/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Malvern's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,890
1 BR
$2,080
2 BR
$2,480
3 BR
$2,990
4 BR+
$3,400
Research median
$2,480/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
$27,696/yr
At $2,308/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Malvern, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 69.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,435
Median income
$117,548
Median age
46.4
Renters
44.5%
Age distribution
19.9%
16.4%
25.9%
17.5%
20.1%
Under 1819.9%
18–3416.4%
35–5425.9%
55–6417.5%
65+20.1%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
86.1%
White86.1%
Black1.6%
Hispanic4.3%
Asian8.4%
Education (25+)
12.5%
16.9%
69.5%
No HS diploma1.1%
HS diploma12.5%
Some college16.9%
Bachelor's+69.5%
Housing tenure
55.5%
44.5%
Owner55.5%
Renter44.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Malvern, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,736 → $2,308
up 32.9%
Income
$110,179 → $117,548
up 6.7%
Population
3,368 → 3,435
up 2.0%
Renter share
44.6% → 44.5%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
65.9% → 69.5%
+3.6 pts
Median age
42.7 → 46.4
+3.7 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Malvern, PA has increased by $572 per month, settling near $2,308 after starting the period at $1,736. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $110,179 in 2021 to $117,548 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 26.2 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 3,368 to 3,435 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 65.9% to 69.5%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Malvern, PA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Malvern

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

Can you afford rent in Malvern on your salary?

At $2,308/mo, how Malvern rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Malvern rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Malvern

About renting in Malvern, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Malvern is $2,308/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,990/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($117,548/yr), Malvern ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Malvern an affordable city for renters?

Malvern is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,308/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($117,548/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Malvern falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Malvern?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,308/mo in Malvern. The local median household income is $117,548/yr, meaning the typical Malvern household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Malvern?

Rent in Malvern has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Malvern rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Malvern is one of the pricier cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #22 out of 167 tracked cities at $2,308/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Malvern?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Malvern ($2,308/mo): Devon ($1,988/mo), Phoenixville ($2,138/mo), West Chester ($2,201/mo).

What percentage of Malvern residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.5% of Malvern households are renters, while 55.5% are owner-occupied. Malvern leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Malvern rent compare to the national average?

Malvern's median rent of $2,308/mo is $343 (17%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #22 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,308/mo, rent takes ~24% of Malvern's median household income ($117,548/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Malvern 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Malvern affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Malvern, PA

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