salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $34,080 a year. That is $16 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 18 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Johnstown?
Share of households by yearly income. 6.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Johnstown
| Size | Johnstown | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $424 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $782 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $961 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Johnstown overall?
Everyday prices in the Johnstown metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Johnstown
Life in Johnstown
What jobs pay in Johnstown
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,890 | 7.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,800 | 7.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $115,950 | 8.8% |
| Software Developer | $100,340 | 10.2% |
| Lawyer | $93,710 | 10.9% |
| Operations Manager | $86,370 | 11.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,390 | 12.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,890 | 12.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $77,550 | 13.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $74,450 | 13.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $71,300 | 14.3% |
| Accountant | $69,870 | 14.6% |
| Plumber | $59,970 | 17.0% |
| Electrician | $59,390 | 17.2% |
| Police Officer | $59,240 | 17.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,320 | 17.8% |
| Carpenter | $54,560 | 18.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $54,050 | 18.9% |
| Firefighter | $51,050 | 20.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $50,770 | 20.1% |
| Truck Driver | $49,980 | 20.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,760 | 26.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,400 | 26.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,830 | 27.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,340 | 27.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,040 | 34.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,280 | 36.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $27,960 | 36.6% |
| Cashier | $27,430 | 37.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Johnstown?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $537 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $45,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $4,540 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Johnstown, PA?
Renting in Johnstown costs a median of about $852 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Johnstown?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $34,080 a year, or $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Johnstown cheap or expensive?
Johnstown is rated OK: rent takes 25.0% of the typical household income of $40,862. It ranks 18th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Johnstown?
The median homeowner in Johnstown pays $1,199 a year in property taxes, about 2.64% of the median home value.
Is Johnstown more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Johnstown?
The median home value in Johnstown is $45,400, about 1.1 times the typical yearly household income.
18,087 people live in Johnstown. Numbers are typical (middle) values.