How much does it cost to rent in Wilkes Barre, PA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Wilkes Barre, PA is $1,358. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Wilkes Barre cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?

Wilkes Barre is among the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania, ranking #115 out of 167 cities at $1,358/mo.

When was Wilkes Barre rent data last updated?

Wilkes Barre rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · PA

Wilkes Barre

Name: Average Rent Prices in Wilkes Barre, PA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 44,423·115th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Wilkes-Barre rents are up 7.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,358/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.1%

Month-over-Month

+5.0%

vs US Median

-$607

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Wilkes Barre · $1,358

More affordable than 84% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

43/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Wilkes Barre's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,358/mo

Expected by trend

$1,314/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Wilkes Barre's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$770

1 BR

$920

2 BR

$1,110

3 BR

$1,450

4 BR+

$1,580

Research median

$1,110/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$16,296/yr

At $1,358/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.1% YoY, +5.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Wilkes Barre, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

44,423

Median income

$48,515

Median age

34.7

Renters

48.8%

Age distribution

21.9%

28.5%

23.6%

15.3%

Under 1821.9%

18–3428.5%

35–5423.6%

55–6410.8%

65+15.3%

Gender

48.9%

51.1%

Male48.9%

Female51.1%

Race & ethnicity

53.7%

33.8%

White53.7%

Black11.3%

Hispanic33.8%

Asian1.6%

Education (25+)

15.7%

38.6%

25.2%

20.5%

No HS diploma15.7%

HS diploma38.6%

Some college25.2%

Bachelor's+20.5%

Housing tenure

51.2%

48.8%

Owner51.2%

Renter48.8%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Wilkes Barre, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,007 → $1,358

up 34.9%

Income

$42,430 → $48,515

up 14.3%

Population

44,086 → 44,423

up 0.8%

Renter share

52.1% → 48.8%

-3.3 pts

Bachelor's+

18.6% → 20.5%

+1.9 pts

Compared with 2022, rent in Wilkes Barre, PA has climbed by $351 per month, settling near $1,358 after starting the period at $1,007. On the earnings side, the typical household in Wilkes Barre, PA now reports about $48,515, up from $42,430 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 20.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 48.8% of households rent today, against 52.1% in 2021. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Wilkes Barre, PA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Wilkes Barre

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View Wilkes Barre rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Wilkes Barre on your salary?

At $1,358/mo, how Wilkes Barre rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 17.4% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 24.5% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 21.3% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 11.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 9.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 23.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Wilkes Barre rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wilkes Barre

About renting in Wilkes Barre, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wilkes Barre is $1,358/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,110/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,450/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($48,515/yr), Wilkes Barre ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wilkes Barre an affordable city for renters?

Wilkes Barre is considered moderate for renters. At $1,358/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($48,515/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wilkes Barre slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Wilkes Barre?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,358/mo in Wilkes Barre. The local median household income is $48,515/yr, meaning the typical Wilkes Barre household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wilkes Barre?

Rent in Wilkes Barre has increased 7.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Wilkes Barre rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Wilkes Barre is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #115 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,358/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wilkes Barre?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wilkes Barre ($1,358/mo): Pittston ($1,119/mo), Scranton ($1,315/mo).

What percentage of Wilkes Barre residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.8% of Wilkes Barre households are renters, while 51.2% are owner-occupied. Wilkes Barre leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wilkes Barre rent compare to the national average?

Wilkes Barre's median rent of $1,358/mo is $607 (31%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #115 out of 167 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

34%

MODERATE

At $1,358/mo, rent takes ~34% of Wilkes Barre's median household income ($48,515/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wilkes Barre 34%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.07%

Run the Wilkes Barre affordability calculator →

Nearby cities