salaryErie is the 5th-largest city in Pennsylvania that we track, with 93,850 residents. Rent is lower than in 84% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $42,320 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 64 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Erie?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Erie
| Size | Erie | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $658 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $723 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,004 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,090 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,391 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Erie overall?
Everyday prices in the Erie metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Erie
Life in Erie
What jobs pay in Erie
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $128,360 | 9.9% |
| Lawyer | $128,130 | 9.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,100 | 10.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $111,260 | 11.4% |
| Software Developer | $101,550 | 12.5% |
| Operations Manager | $89,840 | 14.1% |
| Police Officer | $80,860 | 15.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,500 | 15.8% |
| Firefighter | $80,280 | 15.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,000 | 15.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $79,370 | 16.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $77,360 | 16.4% |
| Accountant | $70,000 | 18.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $69,920 | 18.2% |
| Plumber | $66,410 | 19.1% |
| Electrician | $65,820 | 19.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,700 | 20.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,510 | 21.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,990 | 21.5% |
| Carpenter | $56,850 | 22.3% |
| Truck Driver | $54,770 | 23.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,720 | 30.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,640 | 32.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,430 | 32.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,980 | 34.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,550 | 37.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,610 | 44.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,590 | 44.4% |
| Cashier | $28,340 | 44.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Erie?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $259 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $115,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,520 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Erie, PA?
Renting in Erie costs a median of about $1,058 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Erie?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $42,320 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Erie cheap or expensive?
Erie is rated OK: rent takes 25.5% of the typical household income of $49,733. It ranks 64th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Erie?
The median homeowner in Erie pays $2,516 a year in property taxes, about 2.18% of the median home value.
Is Erie more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Erie?
The median home value in Erie is $115,200, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
93,850 people live in Erie. Numbers are typical (middle) values.