ZIP Code · PA

ZIP 18509

Part of Scranton, PA

Pop. 13,055·Lackawanna County·200th most expensive ZIP in Pennsylvania

Median rent (all units)

$1,332/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.5%

vs US Median

-$600

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 18509 · $1,332

More affordable than 84% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$870

1 BR

$1,030

2 BR

$1,260

3 BR

$1,640

4 BR+

$1,780

Research median

$1,260/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 18509 changed +6.3% 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 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($51,062) is $1,277 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,260); a 3-bedroom is $1,640.

Rank in Scranton

3rd cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Scranton.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 18509. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,984/yr

At $1,332/mo median

Location

CityScranton

StatePA

CountyLackawanna County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.3% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 18509 (Scranton, PA) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 29.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

13,055

Median income

$51,062

Median age

Renters

51.4%

Age distribution

18.7%

28.4%

23.3%

17.6%

Under 1818.7%

18–3428.4%

35–5423.3%

55–6412%

65+17.6%

Gender

53.1%

46.9%

Male53.1%

Female46.9%

Race & ethnicity

76.8%

White76.8%

Black8.8%

Hispanic11.1%

Asian0.7%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

35.3%

27.2%

29.4%

No HS diploma8.1%

HS diploma35.3%

Some college27.2%

Bachelor's+29.4%

Housing tenure

48.6%

51.4%

Owner48.6%

Renter51.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 18509 in Scranton, PA has changed in 5 years

Income

$47,531 → $51,062

up 7.4%

Population

14,336 → 13,055

down 8.9%

Renter share

53.4% → 51.4%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

25.7% → 29.4%

+3.7 pts

Median age

36.8 → 38

+1.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 18509 in Scranton, PA now reports about $51,062, up from $47,531 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 14,336 to 13,055 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.9% change. About 51.4% of households rent today, against 53.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 25.7% to 29.4%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 18509

About renting in ZIP 18509

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 18509 covers Scranton, PA. The median rent here is $1,332/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,030/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,260/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($51,062/yr), ZIP 18509 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 18509?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,332/mo in ZIP 18509. The local median household income is $51,062/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 18509?

Rent in ZIP 18509 has risen 6.3% over the past year.

How does ZIP 18509 compare to other ZIPs in Pennsylvania?

ZIP 18509 is one of the more affordable among Pennsylvania ZIP codes for rent, ranking #200 of 261 at $1,332/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 18509 changed +6.3%, against a typical +3.8% across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks.