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City Report · PA

New Kensington

Pop. 12,011·152nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,011/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.5%
vs US Median
-$954
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
New Kensington · $1,011
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,011/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$49,063/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using New Kensington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,430
4 BR+
$1,540
Research median
$1,120/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$12,132/yr
At $1,011/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, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

New Kensington, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,011
Median income
$49,063
Median age
48.6
Renters
41.5%
Age distribution
16%
21.4%
20%
20.2%
22.4%
Under 1816%
18–3421.4%
35–5420%
55–6420.2%
65+22.4%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
83.5%
White83.5%
Black9.3%
Hispanic2.7%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
40.2%
33.7%
22.5%
No HS diploma3.6%
HS diploma40.2%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+22.5%
Housing tenure
58.5%
41.5%
Owner58.5%
Renter41.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How New Kensington, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$43,308 → $49,063
up 13.3%
Population
12,222 → 12,011
down 1.7%
Renter share
41.6% → 41.5%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
19.5% → 22.5%
+3.0 pts
Median age
46.8 → 48.6
+1.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $43,308 in 2021 to $49,063 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 12,222 to 12,011 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.7% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.5% to 22.5%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in New Kensington on your salary?

At $1,011/mo, how New Kensington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

New Kensington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in New Kensington

About renting in New Kensington, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in New Kensington is $1,011/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,430/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($49,063/yr), New Kensington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is New Kensington an affordable city for renters?

New Kensington is considered affordable for renters. At $1,011/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($49,063/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. New Kensington falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,011/mo in New Kensington. The local median household income is $49,063/yr, meaning the typical New Kensington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in New Kensington?

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

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

New Kensington is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #152 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,011/mo.

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

Arnold is nearby and more affordable at $950/mo, which is $61 less than New Kensington.

What percentage of New Kensington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.5% of New Kensington households are renters, while 58.5% are owner-occupied. New Kensington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does New Kensington rent compare to the national average?

New Kensington's median rent of $1,011/mo is $954 (49%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #152 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,011/mo, rent takes ~25% of New Kensington's median household income ($49,063/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near New Kensington, PA

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