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City · 11,889 residents · Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Emmaus , Pennsylvania

In Emmaus, a typical home is worth $266,000 and typical rent is $1,389 a month. Compared with all of Lehigh County, the typical home value is 11% lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $266,000

    11% below the county

    5% above Pennsylvania

    • Emmaus
    • Lehigh
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $1,389a month

    About the same as the county

    15% above Pennsylvania

    • Emmaus
    • Lehigh
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $83,917a year

    5% above the county

    8% above Pennsylvania

    • Emmaus
    • Lehigh
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    64%

    2 points below the county

    5 points below Pennsylvania

    • Emmaus
    • Lehigh
    • Pennsylvania

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$389,005
3.6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,898 a month
1.6% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Emmaus is in Lehigh County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Lehigh County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Emmaus apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Allentown, the typical home value is $206,600: 22% less than in Emmaus ($266,000).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Emmaus

What homes there are in Emmaus, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Emmaus there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (45%); in Lehigh County, 50%.

Year built

The typical home in Emmaus was built in 1955, 13 years before the typical one in Lehigh County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,732 a month

Lehigh County: $1,885 a month

Without a mortgage

$758 a month

Lehigh County: $765 a month

Owners with a mortgage

72%

Lehigh County: 64%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Emmaus is $1,732 a month, less than in Lehigh County ($1,885); without one, $758.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Emmaus rose at about the same pace as in Lehigh County: 44% against 44%.

The typical rent in Emmaus rose 27% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Lehigh County (29%).

The typical household income in Emmaus rose 42% over that time; home values changed +44% and rent +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureEmmausLehigh CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate3.7%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.0%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.362.562.392.53
Drive alone 75%73%68%69%
Carpool 9%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%4%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%4%3%
Work from home 14%14%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Emmaus are smaller: 2.36 people on average; in Lehigh County, 2.56.

To get to work, 75% of workers in Emmaus drive alone; in Lehigh County, 73%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Emmaus?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Emmaus, worth $266,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 34% of the typical household income in Emmaus, which is $83,917 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $101,106 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Lehigh County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Emmaus. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $9,310 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,359

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$261,182
Total interest
$375,780
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,492 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,958 a month

  • Tight

    $1,958 to $2,518 a month

    Your payment · 34%

  • Hard

    more than $2,518 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Emmaus ($83,917 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,359
Principal & interest$1,769
Property tax$361
Home insurance$111
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$118

You need at least $9,310 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Emmaus and Lehigh County

Emmaus is in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Emmaus's own numbers

Typical home value
$266,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,389
Typical yearly household income
$83,917
Households that own their home
64%
Effective property tax rate
1.63%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Lehigh County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,839
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+61%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Lehigh County.

Everything about Lehigh County

Buying

Buying a home in Emmaus

A typical home in Emmaus is worth $266,000: 11% below the county and 5% above Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Emmaus ($83,917 a year), a typical home costs 3.2 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Emmaus 3.2 years
  • Lehigh 3.8 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Lehigh County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Lehigh County rose 95% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Lehigh County.

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.1% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +61% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +95% +77% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Emmaus next to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Emmaus $266,000
  • Lehigh $300,400
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Emmaus $1,389
  • Lehigh $1,383
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Emmaus $83,917
  • Lehigh $80,079
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Emmaus next to Lehigh County and Pennsylvania
Measure Emmaus Lehigh County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $266,000 $300,400 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,389 $1,383 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $83,917 $80,079 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 64% 66% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,335 $4,651 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.63% 1.55% 1.3% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 56% 55% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Lehigh County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Emmaus

For a typical $266,000 home in Emmaus, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Emmaus's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,359a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $9,310
    Cash to close
    $17,290
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $118

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,310a month

    Down payment
    $13,300
    Cash to close
    $21,280
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $126

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,914a month

    Down payment
    $53,200
    Cash to close
    $61,180
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,160a month

    Down payment
    $39,900
    Cash to close
    $47,880
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Emmaus and for Lehigh County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Emmaus

1.63%of the home’s value each year

$4,335 a year for the typical owner in Emmaus.

  • Emmaus 1.63%
  • Lehigh 1.55%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

What Pennsylvania publishes Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Lehigh County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Lehigh County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1%
1,167
Of those, with NFIP insurance
23%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 23% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Emmaus

Typical rent in Emmaus is $1,389 a month: about the same as the county. In Emmaus, 56% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Lehigh County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,839 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $35.37 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Lehigh County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,302 $25.04 $52,080
1 bedroom $1,519 $29.21 $60,760
2 bedrooms $1,839 $35.37 $73,560
3 bedrooms $2,306 $44.35 $92,240
4 bedrooms $2,482 $47.73 $99,280

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Emmaus

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Emmaus is in ZIP code 18049.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,830: $9 less than the fair market rent for Lehigh County ($1,839).

  • 18049 $1,830$2,290

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Emmaus when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Emmaus

HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Emmaus. These are the largest.

  • Ridge Manor 333 Ridge St, Emmaus 18049 164 low-income homes · Run by Lehigh County Housing Authority · Average payment: $401 a month · Average wait: 32 months (610) 965-4514
  • East Penn Place 633 Broad St, Emmaus 18049 47 low-income homes · 1 bd: 47 · In service since 1994 · For families
  • East Penn Place II 643 Broad St, Emmaus 18049 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 40 · In service since 1996 · For older adults

See all 56 buildings in Lehigh County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Emmaus

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Lehigh County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A young man and a young woman look something up together on a laptop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Emmaus

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Emmaus or Lehigh County. The ones below are statewide in Pennsylvania: they work in Emmaus the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Emmaus

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Emmaus, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, Inc.

    1337 E 5th St, Bethlehem · 9 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 5 more
    (610) 691-5620

  • Greater Community Development Corporation

    403 Pastor Fred Davis St, Easton · 18 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    (610) 596-1134

  • Berks Community Action Program, Inc.

    645 Penn St, Reading · 26 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Homelessness services
    • and 1 more
    (610) 375-7866

All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Emmaus

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Emmaus

HUD’s record names them for Emmaus or Lehigh County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Lehigh County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (610) 965-4514

One other authority has an office in Lehigh County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Lehigh County

These cities are also in Lehigh County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Lehigh County Housing in Pennsylvania

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Emmaus, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Lehigh County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Emmaus.

All guides
A father holds his baby and his young son by a white picket fence.

Questions

Housing questions about Emmaus

Short answers with the numbers for Emmaus and all of Lehigh County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Emmaus?

The typical home value in Emmaus is $266,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Lehigh County it is $300,400.

How much does it cost to rent in Emmaus?

Typical rent in Emmaus is $1,389 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Lehigh County is $1,839.

What is the FHA loan limit in Emmaus?

Emmaus uses the FHA limit for all of Lehigh County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Emmaus?

The typical homeowner in Emmaus pays $4,335 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.63% of the home’s value; in Lehigh County, the rate is 1.55%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Emmaus?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Lehigh County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).