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Cost of Living in Berks County, PA

Population 433,015 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,181
Median home value$257,300
Median household income$79,777

The median rent in Berks County, PA is $1,181/month, 2% lower than the Pennsylvania median and 16% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $257,300, 23% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $79,777 a year, 2% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 17.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $47,240/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.2×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,301/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Berks County vs. Pennsylvania vs. U.S.

Berks CountyPennsylvaniaU.S.
Median rent$1,181$1,209$1,413
Median home value$257,300$254,500$332,700
Median household income$79,777$77,971$80,734
Homeownership rate71.3%69.3%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher27.7%35.2%35.7%
Poverty rate12.2%11.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.4%5.3%5.2%
Work from home11.9%15.6%15.1%
Median age39.940.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Berks County, PA?

The median gross rent in Berks County, PA is $1,181 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Berks County, PA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $47,240 a year in gross income.

Is Berks County, PA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 16% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.2 times the median household income.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County, PARent $1,397 · Income $61,953Allegheny County, PARent $1,153 · Income $78,548Montgomery County, PARent $1,683 · Income $113,915Bucks County, PARent $1,605 · Income $114,764Delaware County, PARent $1,372 · Income $89,546Lancaster County, PARent $1,357 · Income $86,959

Counties with a similar cost of living

Kenai Peninsula Borough, AKRent $1,184 · Income $80,538Schenectady County, NYRent $1,194 · Income $79,623Waller County, TXRent $1,169 · Income $80,397Franklin County, VTRent $1,180 · Income $81,313Laramie County, WYRent $1,160 · Income $80,173Douglas County, NERent $1,201 · Income $80,391

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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