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City Report · PA

Monaca

Pop. 5,519·147th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,124/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.5%
vs US Median
-$841
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Monaca · $1,124
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,124/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$73,538/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Monaca's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$990
2 BR
$1,190
3 BR
$1,520
4 BR+
$1,630
Research median
$1,190/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$13,488/yr
At $1,124/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Monaca, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,519
Median income
$73,538
Median age
39
Renters
34.1%
Age distribution
25.9%
19.9%
24.8%
18.2%
Under 1825.9%
18–3419.9%
35–5424.8%
55–6411.2%
65+18.2%
Gender
48.2%
51.8%
Male48.2%
Female51.8%
Race & ethnicity
88.5%
White88.5%
Black1.1%
Hispanic4.5%
Other5.6%
Education (25+)
36.4%
33.7%
25.5%
No HS diploma4.5%
HS diploma36.4%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+25.5%
Housing tenure
65.9%
34.1%
Owner65.9%
Renter34.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Monaca, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,086 → $73,538
up 43.9%
Population
5,622 → 5,519
down 1.8%
Renter share
40.8% → 34.1%
-6.7 pts
Bachelor's+
23.7% → 25.5%
+1.8 pts
Median age
40.2 → 39
-1.2 yrs

Median household income climbed from $51,086 to $73,538 between 2021 and 2024, a 43.9% shift. Census counts show Monaca, PA losing about 103 residents over the five-year window, down 1.8% on net. The renter share has eased from 40.8% to 34.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Monaca

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

Can you afford rent in Monaca on your salary?

At $1,124/mo, how Monaca rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Monaca rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Monaca

About renting in Monaca, PA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Monaca is $1,124/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,190/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $990/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,520/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($73,538/yr), Monaca ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Monaca an affordable city for renters?

Monaca is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,124/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($73,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Monaca falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Monaca?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,124/mo in Monaca. The local median household income is $73,538/yr, meaning the typical Monaca household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Monaca?

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

How does Monaca rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Monaca is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #147 out of 165 tracked cities at $1,124/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Monaca?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Monaca ($1,124/mo): Ambridge ($872/mo), Rochester ($944/mo), Beaver Falls ($1,024/mo).

What percentage of Monaca residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.1% of Monaca households are renters, while 65.9% are owner-occupied. Monaca leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Monaca rent compare to the national average?

Monaca's median rent of $1,124/mo is $841 (43%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #147 out of 165 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,124/mo, rent takes ~18% of Monaca's median household income ($73,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Monaca 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Monaca affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Monaca, PA

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