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City · 5,407 residents · Berks County, Pennsylvania

Pennside , Pennsylvania

In Pennside, a typical home is worth $207,600 and typical rent is $1,203 a month. Compared with all of Berks County, the typical home value is 19% lower and the share of households that own their home is 7 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $207,600

    19% below the county

    18% below Pennsylvania

    • Pennside
    • Berks
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $1,203a month

    About the same as the county

    About the same as Pennsylvania

    • Pennside
    • Berks
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $77,192a year

    3% below the county

    About the same as Pennsylvania

    • Pennside
    • Berks
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    78%

    7 points above the county

    9 points above Pennsylvania

    • Pennside
    • Berks
    • Pennsylvania

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

Pennside is in Berks 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 Berks County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Pennside apart

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

  1. Nearby, in Reading, the typical home value is $121,300: 42% less than in Pennside ($207,600).

  2. Pennside has the 9th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 232 cities in Pennsylvania with more than 5,000 people (32%).

  3. The typical home in Pennside is worth $207,600, 19% less than in Berks County as a whole ($257,300).

  4. 78% of households in Pennside own their home, against 71% in Berks County.

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

The homes here

Housing in Pennside

What homes there are in Pennside, 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 Pennside, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses, about the same as in Berks County.

Year built

Homes in Pennside are older: the typical year built is 1956; in Berks County, 1969.

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

$1,653 a month

Berks County: $1,800 a month

Without a mortgage

$721 a month

Berks County: $722 a month

Owners with a mortgage

59%

Berks County: 61%

In Pennside, 59% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,653 a month, against $1,800 in Berks County. Without one it drops to $721.

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 boundaries of Pennside changed since 2015–2019, so the Census does not compare its figures from then and now. In Berks County, the typical home value rose 44%.

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

MeasurePennsideBerks CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.0%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.7%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.452.572.392.53
Drive alone 76%74%68%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%4%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%4%3%
Work from home 9%12%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

A household in Pennside has 2.45 people on average, about the same as in Berks County (2.57).

To get to work, 76% of workers in Pennside drive alone; in Berks County, 74%.

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 Pennside?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Pennside, worth $207,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 30% of the typical household income in Pennside, which is $77,192 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $82,096 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Pennside. 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 $7,266 (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

$1,916

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$203,840
Total interest
$293,278
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,506 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,801 a month

  • Tight

    $1,801 to $2,316 a month

    Your payment · 30%

  • Hard

    more than $2,316 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Pennside ($77,192 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,916
Principal & interest$1,381
Property tax$356
Home insurance$87
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$92

You need at least $7,266 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

Pennside and Berks County

Pennside is in Berks 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).

Pennside's own numbers

Typical home value
$207,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,203
Typical yearly household income
$77,192
Households that own their home
78%
Effective property tax rate
2.06%

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

Numbers for all of Berks County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,418
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+59%
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 Berks County.

Everything about Berks County

Buying

Buying a home in Pennside

A typical home in Pennside is worth $207,600: 19% below the county and 18% below Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Pennside ($77,192 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 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.

  • Pennside 2.7 years
  • Berks 3.2 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Berks County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Berks County rose 90% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.6% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +59% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +90% +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

Pennside next to Berks 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
  • Pennside $207,600
  • Berks $257,300
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Pennside $1,203
  • Berks $1,181
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Pennside $77,192
  • Berks $79,777
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Pennside next to Berks County and Pennsylvania
Measure Pennside Berks County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $207,600 $257,300 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,203 $1,181 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $77,192 $79,777 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 78% 71% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,269 $4,239 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.06% 1.65% 1.3% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 32% 52% 48% 51%

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

For a typical $207,600 home in Pennside, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Pennside's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,916a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $7,266
    Cash to close
    $13,494
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $92

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,878a month

    Down payment
    $10,380
    Cash to close
    $16,608
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $99

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,568a month

    Down payment
    $41,520
    Cash to close
    $47,748
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,760a month

    Down payment
    $31,140
    Cash to close
    $37,368
    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 Pennside and for Berks County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Pennside

2.06%of the home’s value each year

$4,269 a year for the typical owner in Pennside.

  • Pennside 2.06%
  • Berks 1.65%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Berks County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
1%
1,445
Of those, with NFIP insurance
34%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 34% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Pennside

Typical rent in Pennside is $1,203 a month: about the same as the county. In Pennside, 32% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Berks County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,418 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.27 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Berks 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 $978 $18.81 $39,120
1 bedroom $1,114 $21.42 $44,560
2 bedrooms $1,418 $27.27 $56,720
3 bedrooms $1,744 $33.54 $69,760
4 bedrooms $1,877 $36.10 $75,080

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 Pennside

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Pennside is in ZIP code 19606.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,580: $162 more than the fair market rent for Berks County ($1,418).

  • 19606 $1,580$1,940

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

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Pennside

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 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Berks County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.

A grandmother pushes her grandson on a playground swing.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Pennside

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

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Pennside

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

  • Berks Community Action Program, Inc.

    645 Penn St, Reading · 3 miles away · Spanish

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

  • Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks, Inc.

    210 N 5th St, Reading · 3 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 2 more
    (610) 372-8433

  • Housing Partnership of Chester County

    41 W Lancaster Ave, Downingtown · 25 miles away · Spanish

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Predatory lending workshops
    • and 2 more
    (610) 518-1522

Every agency in Berks County All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Pennside

3 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 Pennside

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

  • Housing Authority of the County of Berks Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (610) 370-0822

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

Cities

Other cities in Berks County

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

Everything about Berks County Housing in Pennsylvania

Nearby cities

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

Neighboring counties

If Berks 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 Pennside.

All guides
A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

Questions

Housing questions about Pennside

Short answers with the numbers for Pennside and all of Berks 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 Pennside?

The typical home value in Pennside is $207,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Berks County it is $257,300.

How much does it cost to rent in Pennside?

Typical rent in Pennside is $1,203 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Berks County is $1,418.

What is the FHA loan limit in Pennside?

Pennside uses the FHA limit for all of Berks 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 Pennside?

The typical homeowner in Pennside pays $4,269 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.06% of the home’s value; in Berks County, the rate is 1.65%.

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

There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Berks County. 2 say they serve 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).