Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
25%
Over 65
18%
Erie, PA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$954
Population
94,275
Renter Mix
51% Rent
The Gem City on Lake Erie truly sparkles
Lakeside
•
Scenic
•
Affordable
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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$41,898
Average: $56,145
Education
19,925
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
42,977
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
In Erie, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.
Renters
51%
Non-Renters
49%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
15%
Other Education
85%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Erie, PA is $936 for a studio, $957 for one bedroom, $1,442 for two bedrooms, and $1,737 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Erie has increased by 2.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$957/month
668 Sq Ft
House
$1,864/month
994 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,397/month
1,233 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Erie, PA is 13.6% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Erie is 44.7% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $936 - $1,737. You can expect to pay 3.3% less for groceries, 8.9% more for utilities, and 14.0% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Erie, PA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
70
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Fairly Drivable
Drivability
50
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
30
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
455 Students
Public
Grades K-5
659 Students
Public
Grades K-8
409 Students
Public
Grades K-5
381 Students
Public
Grades K-5
365 Students
Public
Grades K-8
409 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
550 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
729 Students
Public
Grades K-8
583 Students
Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School
Public
Grades PK-8
558 Students
Northwest Pa Collegiate Academy
Public
Grades 9-12
753 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
2,205 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
389 Students
Iroquois Junior-Senior High School
Public
Grades 6-12
539 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
663 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
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
Riedman
-
22
Communities
-
3,542
Units
-
13
Cities
8 Communities in Erie
Monarch Investment and Management Group
-
320
Communities
-
77,950
Units
-
146
Cities
1 Community in Erie
Clover Group Inc.
-
77
Communities
-
9,184
Units
-
65
Cities
1 Community in Erie
Rushmore Management
-
86
Communities
-
17,166
Units
-
51
Cities
1 Community in Erie
Oakmark Management
-
18
Communities
-
2,580
Units
-
13
Cities
1 Community in Erie
Universal Development
-
11
Communities
-
1,854
Units
-
11
Cities
1 Community in Erie
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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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 June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.