Pennsylvania · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Franklin County, PA

Prices around Franklin County, PA run 5.4% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $77,003 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,379 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $55,160 a year.

Franklin County, PA at a glance

Median household income

$77,003$6,417 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,379HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)94.6-5.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity21.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential PA
Population157,379Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Franklin County, PA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,379Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$55,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,925At 30% of $77,003
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Franklin County, PA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Chambersburg, PA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Franklin County, PA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,014$12,168$40,56015.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,119$13,428$44,76017.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,379$16,548$55,16021.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,825$21,900$73,00028.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,991$23,892$79,64031%

Rent in Franklin County, PA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Franklin County, PA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $77,003 a year ($6,417 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,208/moRent ($1,379 2-BR), utilities (~$196/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,925/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,283/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $77,003 leaves after Pennsylvania taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Pennsylvania tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$77,003
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$77,003
Net 79%
Fed 11%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,638After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,053Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,332Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,111 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$2,364 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,891 / yr

Living in Franklin County, PA: common questions

What is the median household income in Franklin County, PA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Franklin County, PA is $77,003 per year (approximately $6,417 per month).

What is the average rent in Franklin County, PA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,014 for a studio, $1,119 for one bedroom, $1,379 for two, $1,825 for three and $1,991 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Franklin County, PA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5.4% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 94.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Franklin County, PA?

To keep a $1,379 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $55,160 a year, or $4,597 a month. That is 72% of what the typical household in Franklin County, PA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Franklin County, PA?

On the local median income of $77,003 ($6,417 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,208 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,925 for everything else and $1,283 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,379 takes 43% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Franklin County, PA?

Homes in Pennsylvania paid 21.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $196. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.