Living in Erie, PA
Erie is the 382nd-largest city in the US, home to about 92,000 people in 2025. It has lost 3.3% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.0 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 91,838-3.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $115,2002.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $870/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $46,113median, per year
- Price level
- 91.0US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 35° / 81°lows 21° / 64°
- Average commute
- 18 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.07%top rate, flat
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County: Erie County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 653 ft
Metro area: Erie, PA
Cost of living in Erie
The median home in Erie is worth $115,200 and the median household earns $46,113 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $870 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Erie, PA metro area at 91.0, with housing at 56.8 and goods at 100.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,200 here. Pennsylvania taxes wages at a top rate of 3.07% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Pennsylvania is 6.34%.
What would my salary be worth in Erie?
Erie weather
Average highs run from 35°F in January to 81°F in July, and January nights average 21°F. It gets 43 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 104 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 112 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Erie
People and work
The median resident is 34.8 years old, and 23% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.8175th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 23%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,80019.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%6% walk, 0.7% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.1%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 23.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1949median year
Who moves to Erie, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), Westmoreland County, PA and Columbus (Franklin County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), Columbus (Franklin County) and Charlotte (Mecklenburg County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Erie County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, strong wind, lightning.
Home prices
+8% in a year
Up 59% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Erie, PA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
77% good days
1 day unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Erie, PA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Erie
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Gannon University in Erie
- Mercyhurst University 2 miles
- Allegheny College 33 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Erie
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Erie International Airport ERI | 6 mi | 46,810 |
| Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF | 89 mi | 2,499,295 |
| Niagara Falls International Airport IAG | 89 mi | 59,119 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Erie
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gannon University | in town | 2,365 | $24,443 | 71% |
| Mercyhurst University | 2 mi | 2,191 | $26,486 | 61% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Erie
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 26, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 23 and the first frost comes around November 4.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Erie Intl. Airport, PA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Erie.
Wildfire smoke in Erie
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Erie on about 119 days a year, including about 29 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Erie
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 39,848 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Erie
Downtown Erie is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 10,593 | 15 | 12.9 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Millcreek Township School District (6,413 students), Harbor Creek School District (2,090 students), General McLane School District (2,080 students), Fairview School District (1,938 students), Fort LeBoeuf School District (1,932 students), North East School District (1,435 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Erie's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Erie's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- South Bend, IN68% matchCompare
- Rockford, IL61% matchCompare
- Dayton, OH60% matchCompare
- Fort Wayne, IN56% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Erie
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Erie
- Peek'n Peak 18 miles
- Mountain View at Edinboro 19 miles
- Holiday Valley 73 miles
- Alpine Valley Ski Area 74 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Erie
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 104 inches a year.
- Data The population has shrunk 3.3% since 2020.
- Data Poverty is high: 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
Erie report card from locals
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Cities near Erie
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 81 mi | 274,613 | $164,200 | 95.8 | Compare |
| Cleveland, OH | 93 mi | 363,608 | $102,000 | 93.9 | Compare |
| Parma, OH | 99 mi | 78,581 | $170,100 | 93.9 | Compare |
| Akron, OH | 104 mi | 189,691 | $122,000 | 93.4 | Compare |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 117 mi | 307,632 | $205,800 | 94.7 | Compare |
| Rochester, NY | 144 mi | 206,108 | $139,600 | 97.0 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Erie with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Erie a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, 6 comfortable months a year, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow, a shrinking population. Compare Erie side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Erie?
The Census Bureau estimates Erie had 91,838 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 95,005 in April 2020 (-3.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Erie?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,200 in the Erie area. The median household here earns $46,113.
When is the best time to visit Erie?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 81°F and January 35°F for daytime highs.
What county is Erie in?
Erie is in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Erie in?
Erie is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Erie?
About 653 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Pennsylvania have a state income tax?
Yes. Pennsylvania has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3.07% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Erie. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Erie, PA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Erie Intl. Airport, PA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.