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City Report · PA

Meadville

Pop. 12,577·166th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$899/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.2%
vs US Median
-$1,063
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Meadville · $899
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $899/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$36,000/yr
Local median income
$43,308/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Meadville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$750
1 BR
$770
2 BR
$980
3 BR
$1,280
4 BR+
$1,470
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$980/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $899 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$10,788/yr
At $899/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Meadville, PA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,577
Median income
$43,308
Median age
34.8
Renters
66%
Age distribution
18.4%
31.7%
21.1%
18.3%
Under 1818.4%
18–3431.7%
35–5421.1%
55–6410.4%
65+18.3%
Gender
45.6%
54.4%
Male45.6%
Female54.4%
Race & ethnicity
88.7%
White88.7%
Black4.3%
Hispanic2.1%
Asian1.5%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
43.1%
24.6%
22.7%
No HS diploma9.5%
HS diploma43.1%
Some college24.6%
Bachelor's+22.7%
Housing tenure
34%
66%
Owner34%
Renter66%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Meadville, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$40,694 → $43,308
up 6.4%
Population
12,999 → 12,577
down 3.2%
Renter share
62.5% → 66%
+3.5 pts
Bachelor's+
24.5% → 22.7%
-1.8 pts
Median age
36.3 → 34.8
-1.5 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Meadville, PA now reports about $43,308, up from $40,694 in 2021. The population has contracted by 3.2% since 2021, moving from about 12,999 residents to roughly 12,577. Renters now make up 66% of households, compared with 62.5% five years ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Meadville on your salary?

At $899/mo, how Meadville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Meadville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Meadville

About renting in Meadville, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Meadville is $899/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,280/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($43,308/yr), Meadville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Meadville an affordable city for renters?

Meadville is considered affordable for renters. At $899/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($43,308/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Meadville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Meadville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $36,000/year (~$17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $899/mo in Meadville. The local median household income is $43,308/yr, meaning the typical Meadville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Meadville?

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

How does Meadville rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Meadville is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #166 out of 169 tracked cities at $899/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Meadville?

Grove City is nearby and more affordable at $738/mo, which is $161 less than Meadville.

What percentage of Meadville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 66% of Meadville households are renters, while 34% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Meadville has a strong rental market.

How does Meadville rent compare to the national average?

Meadville's median rent of $899/mo is $1,063 (54%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #166 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $899/mo, rent takes ~25% of Meadville's median household income ($43,308/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Meadville 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Meadville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Meadville, PA

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