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City · 14,242 residents · Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Hershey , Pennsylvania

In Hershey, a typical home is worth $379,200 and typical rent is $1,268 a month. Compared with all of Dauphin County, the typical home value is 60% higher and the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $379,200

    60% above the county

    49% above Pennsylvania

    • Hershey
    • Dauphin
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $1,268a month

    4% above the county

    5% above Pennsylvania

    • Hershey
    • Dauphin
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $78,587a year

    3% above the county

    About the same as Pennsylvania

    • Hershey
    • Dauphin
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    54%

    9 points below the county

    16 points below Pennsylvania

    • Hershey
    • Dauphin
    • Pennsylvania

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$407,367
2.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,516 a month
6.2% more than 12 months ago

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

Hershey is in Dauphin 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 Dauphin County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Hershey apart

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

  1. Nearby, in Middletown, the typical home value is $161,600: 57% less than in Hershey ($379,200).

  2. The typical home in Hershey is worth $379,200, 60% more than in Dauphin County as a whole ($236,400).

  3. 54% of households in Hershey own their home, against 63% in Dauphin County.

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

The homes here

Housing in Hershey

What homes there are in Hershey, 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

No kind of home is the majority in Hershey; the largest group, detached houses, adds up to 48%, near the figure in Dauphin County (50%).

Year built

By age, homes in Hershey look like those in Dauphin County: the typical year built is 1970.

There are fewer big homes in Hershey than in Dauphin County: 57% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 61%.

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

$2,315 a month

Dauphin County: $1,660 a month

Without a mortgage

$840 a month

Dauphin County: $664 a month

Owners with a mortgage

57%

Dauphin County: 62%

In Hershey, 57% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $2,315 a month, against $1,660 in Dauphin County. Without one it drops to $840.

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

The typical home value in Hershey rose 39% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Dauphin County (41%).

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Hershey rose 20%, less than in Dauphin County (28%).

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

MeasureHersheyDauphin CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.2%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.7%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.7%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.172.332.392.53
Drive alone 64%69%68%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%4%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%4%3%
Work from home 16%17%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutesUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Hershey are smaller: 2.17 people on average; in Dauphin County, 2.33.

In Hershey, 64% of workers drive alone to work; in Dauphin County, 69%.

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 Hershey?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Hershey, worth $379,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 50% of the typical household income in Hershey, which is $78,587 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $139,258 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Hershey. 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 $13,272 (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

$3,249

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$372,332
Total interest
$535,698
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $6,404 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,834 a month

  • Tight

    $1,834 to $2,358 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,358 a month

    Your payment · 50%

Compared with the typical household income in Hershey ($78,587 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,249
Principal & interest$2,522
Property tax$401
Home insurance$158
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$168

You need at least $13,272 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

Hershey and Dauphin County

Hershey is in Dauphin 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).

Hershey's own numbers

Typical home value
$379,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,268
Typical yearly household income
$78,587
Households that own their home
54%
Effective property tax rate
1.27%

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

Numbers for all of Dauphin County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,598
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.5%

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 Dauphin County.

Everything about Dauphin County

Buying

Buying a home in Hershey

A typical home in Hershey is worth $379,200: 60% above the county and 49% above Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Hershey ($78,587 a year), a typical home costs 4.8 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.

  • Hershey 4.8 years
  • Dauphin 3.1 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Dauphin County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Dauphin County rose 79% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.2% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +79% +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

Hershey next to Dauphin 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
  • Hershey $379,200
  • Dauphin $236,400
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Hershey $1,268
  • Dauphin $1,217
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Hershey $78,587
  • Dauphin $76,242
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Hershey next to Dauphin County and Pennsylvania
Measure Hershey Dauphin County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $379,200 $236,400 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,268 $1,217 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $78,587 $76,242 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 54% 63% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,810 $3,198 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.27% 1.35% 1.3% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 46% 45% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Dauphin 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 Hershey

For a typical $379,200 home in Hershey, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Hershey's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $3,249a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $13,272
    Cash to close
    $24,648
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $168

  • Conventional, 5% down $3,180a month

    Down payment
    $18,960
    Cash to close
    $30,336
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $180

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,614a month

    Down payment
    $75,840
    Cash to close
    $87,216
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,965a month

    Down payment
    $56,880
    Cash to close
    $68,256
    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 Hershey and for Dauphin County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Hershey

1.27%of the home’s value each year

$4,810 a year for the typical owner in Hershey.

  • Hershey 1.27%
  • Dauphin 1.35%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Dauphin County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
3.5%
3,368
Of those, with NFIP insurance
26%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 3.5% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 26% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Hershey

Typical rent in Hershey is $1,268 a month: 4% above the county. In Hershey, 46% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Dauphin County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,598 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $30.73 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Dauphin 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 $1,166 $22.42 $46,640
1 bedroom $1,285 $24.71 $51,400
2 bedrooms $1,598 $30.73 $63,920
3 bedrooms $2,055 $39.52 $82,200
4 bedrooms $2,100 $40.38 $84,000

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 Hershey

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Hershey is in ZIP code 17033.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,710: $112 more than the fair market rent for Dauphin County ($1,598).

  • 17033 $1,710$2,200

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Hershey 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 Hershey

HUD lists 2 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Hershey. These are the largest.

  • Hershey Plaza 215 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey 17033 216 homes, 215 low-income · For older adults (717) 533-5182
  • Willow Ridge 21 Rosewood Dr, Hershey 17033 60 low-income homes · 2 bd: 45 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 1999 · For families

See all 65 buildings in Dauphin County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Hershey

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.

There are 3 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Dauphin County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Hershey

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

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Hershey

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

  • Tri-County HDC LTD

    201 N Front St, Harrisburg · 13 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 4 more
    (717) 231-3604

  • Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    211 North Front Street, Harrisburg · 13 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 11 more
    (800) 342-2397

  • The Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region, Inc

    2100 N 6th St, Harrisburg · 13 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 4 more
    (717) 238-9540

Every agency in Dauphin County All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Hershey

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves 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 Hershey

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

  • Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (717) 939-9301

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

Cities

Other cities in Dauphin County

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

Everything about Dauphin County Housing in Pennsylvania

Nearby cities

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

Neighboring counties

If Dauphin 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 Hershey.

All guides
A couple spread mulch under the avocado trees of their family orchard, he on the tractor and she with a shovel.

Questions

Housing questions about Hershey

Short answers with the numbers for Hershey and all of Dauphin 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 Hershey?

The typical home value in Hershey is $379,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Dauphin County it is $236,400.

How much does it cost to rent in Hershey?

Typical rent in Hershey is $1,268 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Dauphin County is $1,598.

What is the FHA loan limit in Hershey?

Hershey uses the FHA limit for all of Dauphin 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 Hershey?

The typical homeowner in Hershey pays $4,810 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.27% of the home’s value; in Dauphin County, the rate is 1.35%.

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

There are 3 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Dauphin County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. 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).