Rents are right about where Media's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,431 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Media is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.
Rent in Media changed +6.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Pennsylvania cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.6%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($89,092) is $2,227 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,900); a 3-bedroom is $2,290.
Brookhaven, 4 miles away, rents for 30% less ($1,709/mo), about $8,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Media. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Media, PA is majority renter-occupied, has a large retiree population, 62.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Media, PA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Media, PA stood at $2,035 in 2023 and currently runs about $2,431, reflecting a 19.5% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Media, PA now reports about $89,092, up from $77,750 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 58.3% of households, compared with 60.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 62.2% of adults here, versus 54.4% in 2021. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Media, PA reflects that arc in its own way.
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At $2,431/mo, how Media rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Media rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Media. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Media
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Media is $2,431/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,450/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,900/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,590/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,290/mo.
At 33% of local median household income ($89,092/yr), Media ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Media?
Is rent going up or down in Media?
How does Media rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Media?
At $2,431/mo, rent takes ~33% of Media's median household income ($89,092/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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