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City Report · PA

Williamsport

Pop. 27,612·157th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,005/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.4%
Month-over-Month
+4.3%
vs US Median
-$957
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Williamsport · $1,005
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,005/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
$48,851/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Williamsport's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$960
2 BR
$1,150
3 BR
$1,510
4 BR+
$1,670
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,150/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,005 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
$12,060/yr
At $1,005/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.4% YoY, +4.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Williamsport, PA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 27% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
27,612
Median income
$48,851
Median age
31.5
Renters
57%
Age distribution
20.4%
34.6%
20.3%
13.4%
Under 1820.4%
18–3434.6%
35–5420.3%
55–6411.2%
65+13.4%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
75%
13%
White75%
Black13%
Hispanic4.5%
Asian1.4%
Other6.1%
Education (25+)
35.4%
28.2%
27%
No HS diploma9.5%
HS diploma35.4%
Some college28.2%
Bachelor's+27%
Housing tenure
43%
57%
Owner43%
Renter57%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Williamsport, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$45,060 → $48,851
up 8.4%
Population
27,908 → 27,612
down 1.1%
Renter share
56.7% → 57%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
26.4% → 27%
+0.6 pts
Median age
31 → 31.5
+0.5 yrs

Median household income grew from $45,060 to $48,851 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.4% shift. Headcount in the area went from 27,908 to 27,612 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.1% change.

Community

Discussions about Williamsport

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

Can you afford rent in Williamsport on your salary?

At $1,005/mo, how Williamsport rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Williamsport rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Williamsport

About renting in Williamsport, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Williamsport is $1,005/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $960/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,510/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($48,851/yr), Williamsport ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Williamsport an affordable city for renters?

Williamsport is considered affordable for renters. At $1,005/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($48,851/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Williamsport falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Williamsport?

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 $1,005/mo in Williamsport. The local median household income is $48,851/yr, meaning the typical Williamsport household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Williamsport?

Rent in Williamsport has increased 3.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Williamsport rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Williamsport is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #157 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,005/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Williamsport?

Lock Haven is nearby and more affordable at $938/mo, which is $67 less than Williamsport.

What percentage of Williamsport residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57% of Williamsport households are renters, while 43% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Williamsport has a strong rental market.

How does Williamsport rent compare to the national average?

Williamsport's median rent of $1,005/mo is $957 (49%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #157 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,005/mo, rent takes ~25% of Williamsport's median household income ($48,851/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Williamsport, PA

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