Erie

Erie, Pennsylvania Overview

Erie faces challenges across several categories, earning a C grade (47.1/100) and ranking #16 of 20 cities in Pennsylvania. Even so, the city scores 80/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Fiscal Health score of 13/100.

Income & Employment in Erie

The median household income in Erie is $41,377, 44% below the statewide median of $73,823. The local unemployment rate of 3.8% is lower than the state’s 4.1%. Population declined 0.3%.

Safety in Erie

With a violent crime rate of 512.3 per 100,000, Erie exceeds the Pennsylvania average of 313. Safety is a factor prospective residents should weigh carefully. The property crime rate is 1905.9 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Erie

Erie has a cost of living index of 91.5 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $108,200. Median monthly rent is $836. Renters spend 24.2% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Education & Schools in Erie

Erie has a high school graduation rate of 82.4%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $17,121 per student, well above the national median. The city has 34 public schools serving 21,304 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Erie

The annual average temperature in Erie is 51.4°F. Summers average 70°F. Winters average 34.3°F. Annual precipitation is 38.8 inches. The average commute of 17.1 minutes is notably short.

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