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City Report · PA

New Castle

Pop. 21,579·162nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·New Castle rents have dropped 9.4%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$949/mo
Year-over-Year
-9.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
-$1,013
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
New Castle · $949
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $949/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$38,000/yr
Local median income
$42,219/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using New Castle's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$620
1 BR
$690
2 BR
$910
3 BR
$1,270
4 BR+
$1,450
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$910/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $949 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
$11,388/yr
At $949/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 9.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-9.4% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

New Castle, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 16.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,579
Median income
$42,219
Median age
39.5
Renters
45.2%
Age distribution
23.5%
20.7%
24.2%
12.8%
18.9%
Under 1823.5%
18–3420.7%
35–5424.2%
55–6412.8%
65+18.9%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
76.7%
White76.7%
Black11.2%
Hispanic4.2%
Other8%
Education (25+)
47.2%
26.1%
16.3%
No HS diploma10.4%
HS diploma47.2%
Some college26.1%
Bachelor's+16.3%
Housing tenure
54.8%
45.2%
Owner54.8%
Renter45.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How New Castle, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$36,595 → $42,219
up 15.4%
Population
21,992 → 21,579
down 1.9%
Renter share
44.9% → 45.2%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
15.7% → 16.3%
+0.6 pts

Median household income grew from $36,595 to $42,219 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.4% shift. Headcount in the area went from 21,992 to 21,579 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change.

Community

Discussions about New Castle

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View New Castle rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in New Castle on your salary?

At $949/mo, how New Castle rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

New Castle rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in New Castle

About renting in New Castle, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in New Castle is $949/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $620/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $910/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,270/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($42,219/yr), New Castle ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 9.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is New Castle an affordable city for renters?

New Castle is considered affordable for renters. At $949/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($42,219/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. New Castle falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in New Castle?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $38,000/year (~$18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $949/mo in New Castle. The local median household income is $42,219/yr, meaning the typical New Castle household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in New Castle?

Rent in New Castle has decreased 9.4% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does New Castle rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

New Castle is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #162 out of 169 tracked cities at $949/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than New Castle?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than New Castle ($949/mo): Grove City ($738/mo), Rochester ($944/mo).

What percentage of New Castle residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.2% of New Castle households are renters, while 54.8% are owner-occupied. New Castle leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does New Castle rent compare to the national average?

New Castle's median rent of $949/mo is $1,013 (52%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #162 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $949/mo, rent takes ~27% of New Castle's median household income ($42,219/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

New Castle 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the New Castle affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near New Castle, PA

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