The Lehigh Valley’s median renter qualifies as cost burdened when it comes to housing these days, as affordability plummets. Households are considered cost burdened when they spend more than 30% of their income on rent, mortgage and other housing needs.

Pennsylvania’s median home sales price climbed to $219,154 in July, up almost $3,000 from June, according to a report prepared for the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors.

With housing inventory in the Lehigh Valley still tight, the median sales price in April rose nearly 14% from a year ago, matching the record high set in March. 

Data released May 12 from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that house prices increased in the first quarter of 2020 despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.