ZIP Code · PA

ZIP 18049

Part of Emmaus, PA

Pop. 18,941·Lehigh County·66th most expensive ZIP in Pennsylvania

Median rent (all units)

$1,898/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.8%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$34

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 18049 · $1,898

More expensive than 55% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,130

1 BR

$1,340

2 BR

$1,630

3 BR

$2,080

4 BR+

$2,190

Research median

$1,630/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Pennsylvania

Rent in ZIP 18049 changed +1.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($93,694) is $2,342 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,190).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 18103, 4 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,683/mo), about $2,600 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 18049. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$22,776/yr

At $1,898/mo median

Location

CityEmmaus

StatePA

CountyLehigh County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.8% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 18049 (Emmaus, PA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 39.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,941

Median income

$93,694

Median age

41.8

Renters

28.2%

Age distribution

19.9%

20%

27%

13.9%

19.2%

Under 1819.9%

18–3420%

35–5427%

55–6413.9%

65+19.2%

Gender

50.8%

49.2%

Male50.8%

Female49.2%

Race & ethnicity

87.4%

White87.4%

Black1.9%

Hispanic6.4%

Asian3.1%

Other1.2%

Education (25+)

29.4%

25.3%

39.8%

No HS diploma5.5%

HS diploma29.4%

Some college25.3%

Bachelor's+39.8%

Housing tenure

71.8%

28.2%

Owner71.8%

Renter28.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 18049 in Emmaus, PA has changed in 5 years

Income

$80,731 → $93,694

up 16.1%

Population

18,111 → 18,941

up 4.6%

Renter share

26.7% → 28.2%

+1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

37.4% → 39.8%

+2.4 pts

Median age

43.2 → 41.8

-1.4 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 18049 in Emmaus, PA now reports about $93,694, up from $80,731 in 2021. The population has grown by 4.6% since 2021, moving from about 18,111 residents to roughly 18,941. Renters now make up 28.2% of households, compared with 26.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 39.8% of adults here, versus 37.4% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 18049

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 18049 covers Emmaus, PA. The median rent here is $1,898/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,340/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,630/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($93,694/yr), ZIP 18049 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 18049?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,898/mo in ZIP 18049. The local median household income is $93,694/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 18049?

Rent in ZIP 18049 has risen 1.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 18049 compare to other ZIPs in Pennsylvania?

ZIP 18049 is one of the pricier among Pennsylvania ZIP codes for rent, ranking #66 of 261 at $1,898/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 18049 changed +1.8%, against a typical +3.8% across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks.