salaryRent is lower than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $45,800 a year. That is $22 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 87 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wilkes-Barre?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wilkes-Barre
| Size | Wilkes-Barre | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $623 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $831 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,074 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,285 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,296 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wilkes-Barre overall?
Everyday prices in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Wilkes-Barre
Life in Wilkes-Barre
What jobs pay in Wilkes-Barre
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $130,950 | 10.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,820 | 10.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,230 | 10.9% |
| Software Developer | $119,960 | 11.5% |
| Lawyer | $100,420 | 13.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,730 | 14.4% |
| Operations Manager | $93,820 | 14.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,820 | 16.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,650 | 16.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,590 | 17.9% |
| Police Officer | $72,210 | 19.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $70,730 | 19.4% |
| Accountant | $70,480 | 19.5% |
| Electrician | $69,540 | 19.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,750 | 22.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,740 | 22.3% |
| Plumber | $61,160 | 22.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,440 | 22.7% |
| Firefighter | $60,410 | 22.7% |
| Carpenter | $60,240 | 22.8% |
| Truck Driver | $57,580 | 23.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,980 | 31.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,900 | 32.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,760 | 32.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,010 | 32.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,870 | 39.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,020 | 45.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,770 | 46.2% |
| Cashier | $28,380 | 48.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wilkes-Barre?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $332 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $117,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,720 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Renting in Wilkes-Barre costs a median of about $1,145 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Wilkes-Barre?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,800 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wilkes-Barre cheap or expensive?
Wilkes-Barre is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $52,323. It ranks 87th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wilkes-Barre?
The median homeowner in Wilkes-Barre pays $2,083 a year in property taxes, about 1.78% of the median home value.
Is Wilkes-Barre more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Wilkes-Barre?
The median home value in Wilkes-Barre is $117,200, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
44,423 people live in Wilkes-Barre. Numbers are typical (middle) values.