Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA landlord and rental property insurance
Coverage for rental homes and 2–4 unit buildings in Wilkes-Barre, with local Census housing data. A quote is not a binder.
With an estimated 44,661 residents, Wilkes-Barre has around 8,129 renter households, about 49% of occupied housing. Statewide, Pennsylvania sits at 31%, so Wilkes-Barre's rental share is above the state figure.
Census snapshot: Wilkes-Barre housing
| Measure | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Renter-occupied homes | 49% (8,129) | 31% |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $117,200 | $254,500 |
| Median gross rent | $946/mo | $1,209/mo |
| Median year structure built | 1943 | 1965 |
| Homes in 2–4 unit buildings | 18% | 8% |
| Single-family homes (detached or attached) | 64% | 75% |
Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates; 2024 population estimates).
Setting coverage on a Wilkes-Barre rental
The median owner-occupied home in Wilkes-Barre is valued at about $117,200, lower than the Pennsylvania median of $254,500. Market value includes land, so it is only a starting point: your dwelling limit should reflect what it would cost to rebuild the structure.
NAIC data for 2023 shows an average Pennsylvania dwelling-fire premium of $430 in the Under $150,000 coverage band, which brackets Wilkes-Barre's median value; across all coverage amounts the state average was $539. Treat it as background, since landlord pricing depends on the building and occupancy.
Protecting rental income in Wilkes-Barre
Median gross rent in Wilkes-Barre is about $946 a month. A year of lost rent at that level is roughly $11,352 per unit, a useful yardstick when you choose fair rental value coverage.
Older vs. newer rentals in Wilkes-Barre
Half of Wilkes-Barre's housing was built before 1944. Older rentals like these draw questions about wiring, original plumbing, chimney condition, and roof layers, so keep receipts for every upgrade.
Types of rental property in Wilkes-Barre
Two-to-four-unit buildings make up about 18% of Wilkes-Barre'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.
How Wilkes-Barre compares with nearby Pennsylvania markets
In Hazleton, 49% of occupied homes are rented and the median value is $151,600. Nearby Philadelphia reports 48% renter households and a $243,100 median home value, so proportionally fewer renters than Wilkes-Barre. Nearby Pittsburgh reports 52% renter households and a $205,800 median home value, so proportionally more renters than Wilkes-Barre. Among the 30 largest Pennsylvania cities we profile, Wilkes-Barre ranks 19 for renter share. Roughly 18% of homes in Wilkes-Barre are in buildings of five or more units, the point where most owners move to commercial apartment policies.
Natural hazards Wilkes-Barre landlords plan for
Typical Pennsylvania property risks such as frozen and burst pipes in older housing and winter storms and heavy snow load affect owners in Wilkes-Barre and the rest of Luzerne County. Flood and earthquake are excluded from standard dwelling forms and need their own coverage.
Hazard themes reflect FEMA’s National Risk Index and NOAA’s Storm Events Database; check the index for your specific county.
Your Wilkes-Barre quote checklist
- Current insurer and any losses in five years
- Mortgage company details, if financed
- Desired liability limit and loss-of-rents amount
- Property location in Wilkes-Barre and unit count
- When the building went up and when the roof was last replaced
- Lease type and whether the unit is ever empty
- Electrical, plumbing, and heating update years
Request a Wilkes-Barre landlord quote
Wilkes-Barre landlord insurance questions
What share of Wilkes-Barre homes are rentals?
About 49% of occupied homes in Wilkes-Barre, roughly 8,129 households, are renter-occupied according to the 2020–2024 American Community Survey.
Do Wilkes-Barre landlords have to carry insurance?
No Pennsylvania law mandates it for Wilkes-Barre owners, though lenders, HOAs, and property managers commonly require it.
What is a typical landlord premium in Wilkes-Barre?
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 Wilkes-Barre
Landlord insurance in Pennsylvania · Cost by state
Last updated October 15, 2026. Sources and method: how we research.