Rents are 10% below what Scranton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,346 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
March. Asking rents in Scranton usually run 0.7% below trend in March and 1.1% above it in October, about $24 a month apart at today's median. Based on 9 years of data.
Rent in Scranton is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2017.
Rent in Scranton changed +3.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Pennsylvania cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.6%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Scranton rose 46.6% while median household income rose 24.9% ($40,608 to $50,739). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Scranton is 54.9% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($50,739) is $1,268 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,130); a 3-bedroom is $1,472.
The priciest of 5 ZIP codes in Scranton, 18508 ($1,432/mo), costs 14% more than the cheapest, 18510 ($1,252/mo).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Scranton. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Scranton, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Scranton, PA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Scranton, PA stood at $1,019 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,346, reflecting a 32.1% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $44,161 to $50,739 across the same window, up 14.9% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Scranton, PA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Scranton
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Can you afford rent in Scranton on your salary?
At $1,346/mo, how Scranton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Scranton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Scranton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Scranton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Scranton is $1,346/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $782/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $934/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,472/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($50,739/yr), Scranton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Scranton rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Scranton?
At $1,346/mo, rent takes ~32% of Scranton's median household income ($50,739/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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