Pennsylvania · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Williamsport, PA

The median household in Williamsport, PA earns $48,851 a year ($4,071/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,195/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $47,800 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$48,851$4,071 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,195HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.3-7.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate21.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential PA
Census Population27,612Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Williamsport, PA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,195Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$47,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,221At 30% of $48,851
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Williamsport, PA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Williamsport, PA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Williamsport, PA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$824$9,888$32,96020.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$995$11,940$39,80024.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,195$14,340$47,80029.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,586$19,032$63,44039%
4-Bedroom Home$1,737$20,844$69,48042.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Williamsport, PA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Williamsport, PA

Based on the local median household income of $48,851/year ($4,071/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,035/moRent ($1,195 2-BR), utilities (~$196/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,221/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$814/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$48,851
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,851
Net 82%
Fed 8%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,932After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,328Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,536Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,682 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,500 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,737 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Pennsylvania with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Williamsport, PA

What is the median household income in Williamsport, PA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Williamsport, PA is $48,851 per year (approximately $4,071 per month).

What is the average rent in Williamsport, PA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Williamsport, PA are $824 for a studio, $995 for 1 bedroom, $1,195 for 2 bedrooms, $1,586 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,737 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Williamsport, PA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Williamsport, PA is 92.3 (7.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Williamsport, PA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,195/month) in Williamsport, PA requires a minimum gross household income of $47,800 per year ($3,983 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Williamsport, PA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $48,851/year ($4,071/month) in Williamsport, PA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,035/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,221/month to discretionary spending, and $814/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Williamsport, 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.