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Cost of Living & Affordability: Williamsport, PA

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Williamsport, PA

Cap Rate
2.98%
Median Price
$225K
Rent/Mo
$1,030
1% Rule
0.46%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Williamsport's price-to-income ratio is 4.7x — homes cost 4.7 times the local median household income of $47,800. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Williamsport (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,496/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,830. The median rent of $1,030/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Williamsport is $47,800, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% per year. Williamsport is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Williamsport is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Williamsport Compares

Williamsport vs Pennsylvania state average and national average across key investment metrics. Williamsport's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Williamsport
Pennsylvania Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
2.98%
3.81%
3.81%
Median Price
$225K
$244K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,030
$1,250
$1,524
Property Tax
1.38%
1.38%
1.08%
Vacancy
6%
6%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Northeast Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Williamsport, PA
3.0%
$225K
$1,030
1.38%
Scranton, PA
4.4%
$220K
$1,300
1.44%
Pittsburgh, PA
5.3%
$220K
$1,450
1.36%
Cranberry Twp, PA
5.5%
$220K
$1,450
1.32%
Auburn, NY
3.5%
$220K
$1,170
1.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Williamsport affordable for renters?
Renters in Williamsport spend approximately 26% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $47,800, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Williamsport?
Williamsport's price-to-income ratio is 4.7x, meaning homes cost 4.7 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Williamsport?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $225K home is approximately $1,197/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,531/mo. The median rent of $1,030/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Williamsport's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Williamsport ($225K) are 33% below the national average. Rents ($1,030/mo) are 32% below average. Property taxes (1.38%) are above the 1.08% national average.
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Explore Williamsport & Related Markets

More Williamsport Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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