Wilkes-Barre

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Wilkes-Barre, PA

Area Guide

A charming community on the edge of the Poconos.

Walkable College Commuter Nature Outdoors

The city leadership in Wilkes-Barre has worked hard to promote a “walk-to-everything” lifestyle, with a general layout that is very friendly to pedestrians. This is particularly noticeable around the downtown area, where apartments, businesses, and public parks are all easily accessible on foot.

Just behind King’s College, River Common offers walking trails, a boat launch, an amphitheater, and plenty of space to just relax and enjoy a view of the Susquehanna River. The Public Square serves as the venue for outdoor events throughout the year, from the weekly farmer’s market to the annual Fine Arts Fiesta. Mohegan Sun Arena hosts larger sports and entertainment events regularly.

The ski areas and state parks surrounding Wilkes-Barre are very popular with tourists, and residents get to enjoy full access to these natural attractions year-round. Scranton is just a few minutes up the road as well, making Wilkes-Barre an attractive option for commuters seeking a home environment with more of a small-town feel.

Explore the City

The Lady of the Valley mural in Wilkes-Barre is made by a Philadelphia artist named Evan Lovett.

Wilkes-Barre townhomes stretch across bustling streets with youth and children riding bikes.

The Market Street Bridge in Wilkes-Barre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rent Trends

As of September 2025, the average apartment rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA is $832 for a studio, $1,315 for one bedroom, $1,477 for two bedrooms, and $1,840 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Wilkes-Barre has increased by 7.0% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,315/month
745 Sq Ft
House
$1,614/month
1,224 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Wilkes Barre, PA

Transportation

60

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.

39

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

Lee Park Elementary School

Public

Grades 3-4

286 Students

Dr David W Kistler Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

916 Students

Daniel J Flood El School

Public

Grades K-5

592 Students

Heights/Murray Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

837 Students

Dodson Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

486 Students

G.A.R. Memorial Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,026 Students

Elmer L Meyers Junior-Senior High School

Public

Grades 7-12

883 Students

James M Coughlin Junior-Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

896 Students

Elmer L Meyers Junior-Senior High School

Public

Grades 7-12

883 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • The Lands at Hillside Farms
  • Frances Slocum State Park

Airports

  • Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International

Top Apartments in Wilkes-Barre

Houses for Rent in Wilkes-Barre

Property Management Companies in Wilkes-Barre, 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 September 2025.