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City Report · PA

Pottsville

Pop. 13,364·142nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,215/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.7%
Month-over-Month
-1.7%
vs US Median
-$747
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pottsville · $1,215
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,215/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$49,000/yr
Local median income
$54,332/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Pottsville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$730
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$970
3 BR
$1,270
4 BR+
$1,330
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$970/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,215 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
$14,580/yr
At $1,215/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.7% YoY, -1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pottsville, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,364
Median income
$54,332
Median age
43.4
Renters
42.9%
Age distribution
19.8%
19.2%
26.3%
13.1%
21.5%
Under 1819.8%
18–3419.2%
35–5426.3%
55–6413.1%
65+21.5%
Gender
44.9%
55.1%
Male44.9%
Female55.1%
Race & ethnicity
89.3%
White89.3%
Black3%
Hispanic8.8%
Education (25+)
41%
26.5%
21.9%
No HS diploma10.6%
HS diploma41%
Some college26.5%
Bachelor's+21.9%
Housing tenure
57.1%
42.9%
Owner57.1%
Renter42.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pottsville, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$40,275 → $54,332
up 34.9%
Population
13,413 → 13,364
down 0.4%
Renter share
42.9% → 42.9%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
21% → 21.9%
+0.9 pts
Median age
41.9 → 43.4
+1.5 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $40,275 in 2021 to $54,332 more recently.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Pottsville on your salary?

At $1,215/mo, how Pottsville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pottsville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pottsville

About renting in Pottsville, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Pottsville is $1,215/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $970/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,270/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($54,332/yr), Pottsville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pottsville an affordable city for renters?

Pottsville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,215/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($54,332/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pottsville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pottsville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,215/mo in Pottsville. The local median household income is $54,332/yr, meaning the typical Pottsville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pottsville?

Rent in Pottsville has increased 4.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Pottsville rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Pottsville is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #142 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,215/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pottsville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pottsville ($1,215/mo): Tamaqua ($1,146/mo), Bloomsburg ($1,157/mo).

What percentage of Pottsville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.9% of Pottsville households are renters, while 57.1% are owner-occupied. Pottsville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pottsville rent compare to the national average?

Pottsville's median rent of $1,215/mo is $747 (38%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #142 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,215/mo, rent takes ~27% of Pottsville's median household income ($54,332/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pottsville, PA

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