ZIP Code · PA

ZIP 18505

Part of Scranton, PA

Pop. 20,797·Lackawanna County·173rd most expensive ZIP in Pennsylvania

Median rent (all units)

$1,430/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.7%

Month-over-Month

+1.0%

vs US Median

-$502

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 18505 · $1,430

More affordable than 78% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$840

1 BR

$1,000

2 BR

$1,220

3 BR

$1,590

4 BR+

$1,720

Research median

$1,220/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 18505 changed +2.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($52,398) is $1,310 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,220); a 3-bedroom is $1,590.

Rank in Scranton

4th cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Scranton.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 18510, 2 miles away, rents for 12% less ($1,252/mo), about $2,100 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 18505. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,160/yr

At $1,430/mo median

Location

CityScranton

StatePA

CountyLackawanna County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.7% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 18505 (Scranton, PA) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 25.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

20,797

Median income

$52,398

Median age

Renters

45.8%

Age distribution

22.3%

21.7%

25.4%

19.4%

Under 1822.3%

18–3421.7%

35–5425.4%

55–6411.2%

65+19.4%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

62.3%

24.3%

White62.3%

Black5.5%

Hispanic24.3%

Asian6%

Other2%

Education (25+)

14.8%

35.6%

23.8%

25.9%

No HS diploma14.8%

HS diploma35.6%

Some college23.8%

Bachelor's+25.9%

Housing tenure

54.2%

45.8%

Owner54.2%

Renter45.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 18505 in Scranton, PA has changed in 5 years

Income

$45,030 → $52,398

up 16.4%

Population

21,643 → 20,797

down 3.9%

Renter share

45.8% → 45.8%

+0.0 pts

Bachelor's+

24.7% → 25.9%

+1.2 pts

Median age

36.2 → 40

+3.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $45,030 to $52,398 across the same window, up 16.4% versus 2021. Census counts show ZIP 18505 in Scranton, PA losing about 846 residents over the five-year window, down 3.9% on net.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 18505

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 18505

About renting in ZIP 18505

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 18505 covers Scranton, PA. The median rent here is $1,430/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,000/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,220/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($52,398/yr), ZIP 18505 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 18505?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (about $27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,430/mo in ZIP 18505. The local median household income is $52,398/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 18505?

Rent in ZIP 18505 has risen 2.7% over the past year.

How does ZIP 18505 compare to other ZIPs in Pennsylvania?

ZIP 18505 is in the middle among Pennsylvania ZIP codes for rent, ranking #173 of 261 at $1,430/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 18505 changed +2.7%, against a typical +3.8% across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks.