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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Lancaster

Lancaster, PA has 32 affordable and income-based rental properties totaling 2,311 units across the city. With a median market rent of $1,240 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), these income-based options can offer meaningful savings for eligible renters. Of the properties with inspection scores on file, 7 out of 8 rated excellent, suggesting generally well-maintained housing stock.

32
Properties
2,311
Total units
93/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,240/mo

Affordability in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster has a median household income of $63,690 and a median asking rent of $1,240 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). With 51% of residents renting their homes, affordable housing options play an important role in the local market.

  • HUD-assisted properties in Lancaster: 9 buildings with 1,050 total units
Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
591 / 100k · 2020

Safety

According to the Lancaster Police Department's data reported to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Lancaster had a violent crime rate of 591 per 100,000 residents in 2020. Keep in mind that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

For flood risk, none of the 9 HUD-assisted properties in Lancaster are mapped in a high-risk flood zone, based on available flood data.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 99 · Walker's Paradise

Getting Around Lancaster

The assisted properties in Lancaster score a 99 (Walker's Paradise) on Walk Score, meaning most daily errands can be done on foot. The area also earns a Bike Score of 60, indicating a bikeable environment with some infrastructure in place, according to Walk Score.

  • Walk Score: 99 - Walker's Paradise
  • Bike Score: 60 - Bikeable
Walk Score
🎓 Schools
39 schools · 7 districts

Schools

Lancaster is served by 39 schools across 7 districts, including 25 elementary, 9 middle, and 5 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Quality and programs vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for any specific address they are considering.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$63,690 median income

Cost of Renting in Lancaster, PA

The median household income in Lancaster is $63,690 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median market rent is $1,240 per month, which means housing costs can stretch budgets for many renters in the city.

Affordable housing programs in Lancaster -- including HUD-assisted and income-based properties -- can significantly reduce what eligible renters pay. Rents at these properties are calculated as a share of your income rather than tied to market rates.

  • Median household income: $63,690/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median market rent: $1,240/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Renter households: 51% of occupied units (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Affordable units tracked on Lease Lantern: 1,050 across 9 properties
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 9 HUD-assisted properties in Lancaster have been mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, which is a low level of flood exposure for renters in this portfolio.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 93/100(8 of 32 scored)
90+ (7)70–89 (1)No score (24)

32 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 32 affordable apartments in Lancaster→

Other cities in PA

› Affordable housing in Aliquippa› Allentown income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Altoona› Bethlehem affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Butler› Affordable housing in Erie› Greensburg income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Harrisburg› Mckeesport affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Meadville› Affordable housing in New Castle› Philadelphia income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in PA› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster is a majority-renter city -- according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), 51 percent of households rent -- with a median household income of $63,690 and a median asking rent of $1,240 per month. That gap makes income-restricted housing a meaningful resource here.

Lease Lantern has identified 9 HUD-assisted and income-based properties in Lancaster, covering 1,050 units. Of the 8 properties with HUD inspection scores on record, 7 rated excellent and 1 rated good, with an average score of 93. None of the 9 mapped properties carry a high flood risk according to flood mapping data.

Lancaster scores a 99 ("Walker's Paradise") on Walk Score and a 60 for bikeability, according to Walk Score data, meaning most daily needs are reachable on foot from much of the city. The Lancaster Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents in 2024, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.

According to NCES Common Core of Data, Lancaster is served by 7 school districts operating 39 public schools, including 25 elementary, 9 middle, and 5 high schools.

Eligibility & how to apply

Pennsylvania income limits (2026)Pennsylvania public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Pennsylvania

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →