ZIP Code · PA

ZIP 18702

Part of Wilkes-Barre, PA

Pop. 41,970·Luzerne County·202nd most expensive ZIP in Pennsylvania

Median rent (all units)

$1,322/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.3%

vs US Median

-$610

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 18702 · $1,322

More affordable than 85% 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

$850

1 BR

$1,010

2 BR

$1,230

3 BR

$1,600

4 BR+

$1,740

Research median

$1,230/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 18702 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Pennsylvania

Rent in ZIP 18702 changed +10.0% 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 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($56,378) is $1,409 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,230); a 3-bedroom is $1,600.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 18702. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,864/yr

At $1,322/mo median

Location

CityWilkes-Barre

StatePA

CountyLuzerne County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.0% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 18702 (Wilkes-Barre, PA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 23.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

41,970

Median income

$56,378

Median age

39.1

Renters

40.5%

Age distribution

20.9%

22.8%

26.4%

18.1%

Under 1820.9%

18–3422.8%

35–5426.4%

55–6411.8%

65+18.1%

Gender

49.6%

50.4%

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

Race & ethnicity

60.1%

27.6%

White60.1%

Black10.8%

Hispanic27.6%

Asian1.8%

Education (25+)

13.4%

37%

26%

23.6%

No HS diploma13.4%

HS diploma37%

Some college26%

Bachelor's+23.6%

Housing tenure

59.5%

40.5%

Owner59.5%

Renter40.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 18702 in Wilkes-Barre, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,094 → $1,322

up 20.8%

Income

$48,213 → $56,378

up 16.9%

Population

42,772 → 41,970

down 1.9%

Renter share

44% → 40.5%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

22% → 23.6%

+1.6 pts

Median age

38.1 → 39.1

+1.0 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 18702 in Wilkes-Barre, PA stood at $1,094 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,322, reflecting a 20.8% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $48,213 in 2021 to $56,378 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 42,772 residents to roughly 41,970. Renters now make up 40.5% of households, compared with 44% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 18702 in Wilkes-Barre, PA market of 2023.

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About renting in ZIP 18702

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 18702 covers Wilkes-Barre, PA. The median rent here is $1,322/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,010/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,230/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($56,378/yr), ZIP 18702 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 18702?

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 $1,322/mo in ZIP 18702. The local median household income is $56,378/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 18702?

Rent in ZIP 18702 has risen 10.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2023.

How does ZIP 18702 compare to other ZIPs in Pennsylvania?

ZIP 18702 is one of the more affordable among Pennsylvania ZIP codes for rent, ranking #202 of 261 at $1,322/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 18702 changed +10.0%, against a typical +3.8% across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks.