Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$48,515$4,043 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $863 | $10,356 | $34,520 | 21.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,028 | $12,336 | $41,120 | 25.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,252 | $15,024 | $50,080 | 31% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,631 | $19,572 | $65,240 | 40.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,766 | $21,192 | $70,640 | 43.7% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Based on the local median household income of $48,515/year ($4,043/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Pennsylvania
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Pennsylvania with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wilkes-Barre, PA
What is the median household income in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wilkes-Barre, PA is $48,515 per year (approximately $4,043 per month).
What is the average rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wilkes-Barre, PA are $863 for a studio, $1,028 for 1 bedroom, $1,252 for 2 bedrooms, $1,631 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,766 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Wilkes-Barre, PA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wilkes-Barre, PA is 93.6 (6.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,252/month) in Wilkes-Barre, PA requires a minimum gross household income of $50,080 per year ($4,173 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $48,515/year ($4,043/month) in Wilkes-Barre, PA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,021/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,213/month to discretionary spending, and $809/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Residential electricity rates in Pennsylvania average 21.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $196 per month.