City Report · PA

Middletown

Pop. 7,628·129th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Middletown rents are up 5.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,351/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.2%
Month-over-Month
+2.2%
vs US Median
-$611
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Middletown · $1,351
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
17% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,351/mo, rent takes about 17% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$54,000/yr
Local median income
$97,607/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Middletown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$1,090
2 BR
$1,340
3 BR
$1,720
4 BR+
$1,780
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,340/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,351 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
$16,212/yr
At $1,351/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.2% YoY, +2.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Middletown, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 29.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,628
Median income
$97,607
Median age
46.9
Renters
19.4%
Age distribution
21.5%
12.8%
28.2%
14.2%
23.3%
Under 1821.5%
18–3412.8%
35–5428.2%
55–6414.2%
65+23.3%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
68.6%
25.9%
White68.6%
Black5.5%
Hispanic25.9%
Asian1.4%
Education (25+)
35.6%
27.6%
29.8%
No HS diploma6.9%
HS diploma35.6%
Some college27.6%
Bachelor's+29.8%
Housing tenure
80.6%
19.4%
Owner80.6%
Renter19.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Middletown, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$88,655 → $97,607
up 10.1%
Population
7,495 → 7,628
up 1.8%
Renter share
12.7% → 19.4%
+6.7 pts
Bachelor's+
25.5% → 29.8%
+4.3 pts
Median age
47.9 → 46.9
-1.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $97,607 today, compared with $88,655 five years earlier. Census counts show Middletown, PA adding about 133 residents over the five-year window, up 1.8% on net. The renter share has risen from 12.7% to 19.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.5% to 29.8% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Middletown

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

Can you afford rent in Middletown on your salary?

At $1,351/mo, how Middletown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Middletown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Middletown

About renting in Middletown, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Middletown is $1,351/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,090/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,720/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($97,607/yr), Middletown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Middletown an affordable city for renters?

Middletown is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,351/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($97,607/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Middletown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Middletown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,351/mo in Middletown. The local median household income is $97,607/yr, meaning the typical Middletown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Middletown?

Rent in Middletown has increased 5.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Middletown rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Middletown is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #129 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,351/mo.

What percentage of Middletown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.4% of Middletown households are renters, while 80.6% are owner-occupied. Middletown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Middletown rent compare to the national average?

Middletown's median rent of $1,351/mo is $611 (31%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #129 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,351/mo, rent takes ~17% of Middletown's median household income ($97,607/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Middletown 17%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Middletown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Middletown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Middletown, PA

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