Rents are right about where Philadelphia'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 $1,797 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Philadelphia, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 35.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Philadelphia, PA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Philadelphia, PA paid around $1,437 a month. That figure now sits near $1,797, up 25.1% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $61,953 today, compared with $52,649 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Philadelphia, PA losing about 17,159 residents over the five-year window, down 1.1% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 32.5% to 35.4% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Philadelphia
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Can you afford rent in Philadelphia on your salary?
At $1,797/mo, how Philadelphia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Philadelphia rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Philadelphia. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Philadelphia
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Philadelphia is $1,797/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,374/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,804/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,514/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,172/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($61,953/yr), Philadelphia ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Philadelphia an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Philadelphia?
Is rent going up or down in Philadelphia?
Which Philadelphia neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Philadelphia rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Philadelphia?
What percentage of Philadelphia residents rent vs. own?
How does Philadelphia rent compare to the national average?
At $1,797/mo, rent takes ~35% of Philadelphia's median household income ($61,953/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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