Cost of living in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie County, PA
Population 269,544 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Erie
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Erie
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Erie
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Erie
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Erie
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Erie
State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Erie
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Erie
What it costs to live in Erie each month.
- Rent $861
- Energy $205
- Water $55
- Groceries $341
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $438
- State tax $94
- Rent $1,118
- Energy $246
- Water $65
- Groceries $565
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $676
- State tax $157
- Rent $1,392
- Energy $308
- Water $75
- Groceries $857
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $676
- State tax $157
Frequently asked questions about Erie
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Erie?
In Erie, Pennsylvania, a one-bedroom apartment averages $861 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,118 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,392 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Erie?
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the average household income is $61,476 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,867 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Erie?
The estimated cost of living in Erie, Pennsylvania is approximately $2,794 per month for a single person, $4,111 for a couple, $6,535 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Erie?
The combined sales tax rate in Erie, Pennsylvania is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.
Is Erie an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Erie, Pennsylvania would need approximately $2,794 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $61,476 per year ($5,123 per month). Erie has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Erie?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Erie, Pennsylvania is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Erie?
The average home value in Erie, Pennsylvania is $169,500, with average annual property taxes of $2,754, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Erie compare to other areas?
You can compare Erie, Pennsylvania with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Erie is in the Erie, PA metro area.
Other counties in Pennsylvania
Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in PennsylvaniaCompare Erie with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP