Philadelphia, PA
Landlord insurance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coverage for rental homes and 2–4 unit buildings in Philadelphia, with local Census housing data. A quote is not a binder.
Census estimates put Philadelphia's renter-occupied share at 48%, or roughly 327,523 of 679,428 occupied homes. Compared with 31% across Pennsylvania, that is above average, and it tells you a lot about the local rental stock owners are insuring.
Philadelphia rental housing by the numbers
| Measure | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Renter-occupied homes | 48% (327,523) | 31% |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $243,100 | $254,500 |
| Median gross rent | $1,397/mo | $1,209/mo |
| Median year structure built | 1949 | 1965 |
| Homes in 2–4 unit buildings | 14% | 8% |
| Single-family homes (detached or attached) | 64% | 75% |
Data: Census ACS 5-year estimates for 2020–2024 via Census Reporter, and Census Vintage 2024 population estimates.
Setting coverage on a Philadelphia rental
Homes in Philadelphia carry a median value near $243,100 according to the Census, compared with $254,500 statewide. Because land is never rebuilt, many owners find their rebuild estimate differs from that figure in either direction.
If your rental is insured somewhere around Philadelphia's median, the closest NAIC benchmark is the $225,000–$249,999 band, where the 2023 Pennsylvania dwelling-fire average was $528. The all-amounts state figure was $539.
Fair rental value coverage for Philadelphia units
Median gross rent in Philadelphia is about $1,397 a month. A year of lost rent at that level is roughly $16,764 per unit, a useful yardstick when you choose fair rental value coverage.
Construction era of Philadelphia rentals
With a median build year of 1949, much of Philadelphia's housing predates modern electrical and plumbing codes. Insurers often ask about knob-and-tube or fuse-box wiring, galvanized supply lines, and cast-iron drains, and documented updates can make a real difference.
Philadelphia's mix of rental buildings
Two-to-four-unit buildings make up about 14% of Philadelphia's housing, well above many places. Duplexes and fourplexes can usually stay on dwelling forms; see our duplex and fourplex guide for shared-area and per-unit rent questions.
Comparing Philadelphia to neighboring cities
For comparison, Pittsburgh comes in at 52% rented and $205,800 median value, with median rent of $1,261. For comparison, Allentown comes in at 57% rented and $206,600 median value, with median rent of $1,317. In Reading, 59% of occupied homes are rented and the median value is $121,300. Among the 30 largest Pennsylvania cities we profile, Philadelphia ranks 20 for renter share. Buildings with five or more units hold about 21% of Philadelphia's homes; those generally need commercial apartment coverage rather than dwelling forms.
Weather and property risks for Philadelphia rentals
Pennsylvania landlords generally plan around basement water and sewer backup, usually excluded unless added, wind damage from summer thunderstorms and remnant tropical systems, and frozen and burst pipes in older housing. Those exposures apply in Philadelphia as much as anywhere in the state, so confirm deductibles and exclusions before you bind.
Hazard themes reflect FEMA’s National Risk Index and NOAA’s Storm Events Database; check the index for your specific county.
Getting a landlord quote in Philadelphia
- Dates of wiring, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades
- Prior carrier, expiration date, and five-year loss history
- Mortgage company details, if financed
- How much liability and lost rent you want covered
- The Philadelphia address and how many units it has
- Construction year plus the age of the roof
- Occupancy: long-term lease, month-to-month, short-term, or vacant
Request a Philadelphia landlord quote
Questions from Philadelphia rental owners
What share of Philadelphia homes are rentals?
About 48% of occupied homes in Philadelphia, roughly 327,523 households, are renter-occupied according to the 2020–2024 American Community Survey.
Do Philadelphia landlords have to carry insurance?
No Pennsylvania law mandates it for Philadelphia owners, though lenders, HOAs, and property managers commonly require it.
What is a typical landlord premium in Philadelphia?
It depends on the building, coverage, and deductible. For background, the NAIC reported a 2023 Pennsylvania dwelling-fire average of $539; see our Pennsylvania page for the full table.
More landlord pages near Philadelphia
Landlord insurance in Pennsylvania · Cost by state
Last updated October 15, 2026. Sources and method: how we research.