Home/Rankings/Rent vs. income/Pennsylvania

Where rent has outpaced income in Pennsylvania since 2019

Pennsylvania cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Scranton ranks first, with rent up 46.6% against household income up 24.9% since 2019.
Across all 16 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,686/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

16 cities

Rank	City	Gap (points)	Rent since 2019	Income since 2019	Median rent
01	ScrantonPA Pop. 76KCompare →	+21.6	+46.6%	+24.9%	$1,346/mo
02	ReadingPA Pop. 95KCompare →	+20.0	+57.0%	+37.0%	$1,472/mo
03	HarrisburgPA Pop. 50KCompare →	+19.8	+41.0%	+21.2%	$1,388/mo
04	BethlehemPA Pop. 78KCompare →	+19.6	+43.0%	+23.4%	$1,880/mo
05	EriePA Pop. 94KCompare →	+17.1	+38.8%	+21.7%	$1,098/mo
06	AllentownPA Pop. 126KCompare →	+10.1	+44.9%	+34.8%	$1,686/mo
07	LansdalePA Pop. 19KCompare →	+6.3	+38.4%	+32.1%	$1,969/mo
08	West ChesterPA Pop. 21KCompare →	+6.2	+32.9%	+26.8%	$2,277/mo
09	NorristownPA Pop. 36KCompare →	+4.0	+41.8%	+37.8%	$1,785/mo
10	LancasterPA Pop. 58KCompare →	+1.5	+41.4%	+39.9%	$1,564/mo
11	PhoenixvillePA Pop. 19KCompare →	-0.1	+39.8%	+39.9%	$2,048/mo
12	YorkPA Pop. 45KCompare →	-4.6	+38.2%	+42.8%	$1,367/mo
13	King of PrussiaPA Pop. 26KCompare →	-6.4	+24.5%	+30.8%	$2,234/mo
14	PittsburghPA Pop. 305KCompare →	-9.2	+25.8%	+35.0%	$1,569/mo
15	PhiladelphiaPA Pop. 1.6MCompare →	-13.7	+21.2%	+34.9%	$1,757/mo
16	JohnstownPA Pop. 18KCompare →	-18.0	+36.2%	+54.3%	$896/mo