Erie

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Erie, PA

Area Guide

The Gem City on Lake Erie truly sparkles

Lakeside Scenic Affordable Active Suburban

Located on the shores of Lake Erie in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie combines waterfront charm with city conveniences. The city's centerpiece, Presque Isle State Park, creates a protected harbor and offers 7 miles of public beaches, wetlands, and outdoor activities. Downtown Erie continues to grow with additions like the Flagship City Food Hall and Public Market, while the restored Warner Theatre, Erie Art Museum, and Maritime Museum showcase the area's rich culture and history. The rental market shows steady growth, with average one-bedroom apartments renting for $918, reflecting a 6% annual increase, while two-bedroom units average $1,329, up 6.1% from the previous year.

Erie's neighborhoods range from historic West 6th Street, known for its preserved Victorian architecture, to newer developments in the surrounding suburbs. Several higher education institutions, including Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, and Penn State Behrend, contribute to the area's educational landscape. The four-season climate supports both summer beach activities and winter recreation, with the area receiving over 100 inches of lake-effect snow annually. The redeveloped Bayfront district features the Bicentennial Tower, which overlooks Lake Erie, while seasonal events and festivals celebrate the city's maritime heritage.

Explore the City

Residents love lakefront activities like fishing.

Homes in Erie can be affordable or expensive.

Downtown Erie is a hub activity with museums, theaters, and more.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Erie, PA is $841 for a studio, $940 for one bedroom, $1,377 for two bedrooms, and $1,614 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Erie has increased by 4.2% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$940/month
662 Sq Ft
House
$1,272/month
984 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Erie, PA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Erie, PA is 13.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Erie is 44.6% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $841 - $1,614. You can expect to pay 3.0% less for groceries, 9.0% more for utilities, and 14.0% more for transportation.

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Transportation

57

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

19

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

45

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Wattsburg Area El Center

Public

Grades K-4

455 Students

Grandview Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

659 Students

Wattsburg Area Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

409 Students

Robison Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

381 Students

Chestnut Hill Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

365 Students

Wattsburg Area Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

409 Students

James S Wilson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

550 Students

Strong Vincent Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

729 Students

Iroquois Junior-Senior High School

Public

Grades 7-12

539 Students

Westlake Middle School

Public

Grades PK & 6-8

470 Students

Northwest Pa Collegiate Academy

Public

Grades 9-12

753 Students

Mcdowell High School

Public

Grades PK & 9-12

2,205 Students

Seneca High School

Public

Grades 9-12

389 Students

Iroquois Junior-Senior High School

Public

Grades 7-12

539 Students

Strong Vincent High School

Public

Grades 9-12

685 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Erie Zoo
  • expERIEnce Children's Museum
  • Erie Maritime Museum
  • Lake Erie Arboretum
  • Presque Isle State Park

Commuter Rail

Airports

  • Erie International/Tom Ridge Field

Top Apartments in Erie

Houses for Rent in Erie

Property Management Companies in Erie, PA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.