Living in Erie, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Erie · Census data 2020–2024
Erie has 93,850 residents with a median age of 34.8. The median household income is $46,113 (41% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $115,200, the median rent is $870/month.
Erie at a glance
- Population
- 93,850
- Median age
- 34.8State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $46,113State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $115,200State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $870/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 54.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.1%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Erie a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 55% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 7.1%; a poverty rate of 23.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Erie
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Erie the median home value is $115,200, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $870 per month, which is 32.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,139 a month in housing costs.
Erie median household income
The median household income in Erie is $46,113 and the income per person is $27,339. 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Erie: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 43,681
- Owner-occupied
- 54.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.9%
- Vacant
- 8.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1949
- Average household size
- 2.20
Erie demographics
- Population
- 93,850
- Median age
- 34.8
- Under 18
- 21.4%
- 65 and older
- 16.4%
- Households
- 39,848
- Foreign-born
- 7.9%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Erie ›
Education in Erie
23.1% of adults 25 and older in Erie have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 7.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Erie
- Unemployment rate
- 7.1%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 7.9%
- Drive alone
- 69.3%
- Public transit
- 2.3%
- Walk to work
- 6.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.2%
Erie vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | $115,200 | $870 |
| Millcreek | 53,472 | $76,390 | $230,600 | $1,075 |
| Wesleyville | 3,179 | $48,952 | $108,600 | $870 |
| Lawrence Park | 3,775 | $74,548 | $138,800 | $1,195 |
| Northwest Harborcreek | 8,753 | $93,617 | $225,800 | $966 |
| Summit | 7,314 | $73,553 | $245,000 | $1,423 |
| Harborcreek | 16,671 | $87,329 | $237,000 | $932 |
| Greene | 4,456 | $85,750 | $227,700 | $1,729 |
| McKean | 437 | $71,667 | $208,800 | $936 |
More for people moving to Erie
Erie ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Erie: FAQ
What is the median household income in Erie, PA?
The median household income in Erie is $46,113, 41% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Erie?
The median home value in Erie is $115,200, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Erie?
The median gross rent in Erie is $870 per month, about 32.9% of household income.
Is Erie, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 55% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 7.1%; a poverty rate of 23.3%.
What is the median age in Erie?
The median age in Erie is 34.8 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Erie?
The average commute to work in Erie is 18 minutes; 7.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Erie?
The unemployment rate in Erie is 7.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Erie?
23.1% of adults in Erie have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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