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City · 5,944 residents · Somerset County, Pennsylvania

Somerset , Pennsylvania

In Somerset, a typical home is worth $163,600 and typical rent is $678 a month. Compared with all of Somerset County, typical household income is 23% lower, typical rent is 10% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 23 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $163,600

    9% above the county

    36% below Pennsylvania

    • Somerset
    • County
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $678a month

    10% below the county

    44% below Pennsylvania

    • Somerset
    • County
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $47,102a year

    23% below the county

    40% below Pennsylvania

    • Somerset
    • County
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    57%

    23 points below the county

    12 points below Pennsylvania

    • Somerset
    • County
    • Pennsylvania

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$224,529
6.2% more than 12 months ago

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

Somerset is in Somerset 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 Somerset County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Somerset apart

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

  1. Nearby, in Johnstown, the typical home value is $45,400: 72% less than in Somerset ($163,600).

  2. Somerset has the 5th lowest typical rent of the 265 cities in Pennsylvania with more than 5,000 people ($678).

  3. 57% of households in Somerset own their home, against 80% in Somerset County.

  4. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Somerset rose 6.2%; in Pennsylvania, it rose 2.2%.

  5. The typical household income in Somerset is $47,102, 23% less than in Somerset County as a whole ($61,446).

  6. 10% of households in Somerset have no internet at home (16% in Somerset County).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Somerset

What homes there are in Somerset, 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

Detached houses are the majority in Somerset (56%), but less so than in Somerset County (74%).

Year built

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

With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 96% of owner-occupied homes in Somerset sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,360 a month

Somerset County: $1,268 a month

Without a mortgage

$696 a month

Somerset County: $506 a month

Owners with a mortgage

54%

Somerset County: 45%

In Somerset, 54% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,360 a month, against $1,268 in Somerset County. Without one it drops to $696.

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 Somerset rose 45% since 2015–2019, more than in Somerset County (41%).

Much as in Somerset County, the typical rent in Somerset rose 27% since 2015–2019.

To compare: typical income in Somerset rose 25%; the home, +45%; the 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

MeasureSomersetSomerset CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate6.1%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate0.8%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.012.342.392.53
Drive alone 69%80%68%69%
Carpool 17%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate4%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%4%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate9%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutesUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Somerset are smaller: 2.01 people on average; in Somerset County, 2.34.

More people carpool to work in Somerset than in Somerset County: 17% against 8%.

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 Somerset?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Somerset, worth $163,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 37% of the typical household income in Somerset, which is $47,102 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $62,418 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Somerset. 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 $5,726 (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

$1,456

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$160,637
Total interest
$231,119
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,763 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,099 a month

  • Tight

    $1,099 to $1,413 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,413 a month

    Your payment · 37%

Compared with the typical household income in Somerset ($47,102 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,456
Principal & interest$1,088
Property tax$228
Home insurance$68
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$72

You need at least $5,726 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

Somerset and Somerset County

Somerset is in Somerset 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).

Somerset's own numbers

Typical home value
$163,600
Typical monthly rent
$678
Typical yearly household income
$47,102
Households that own their home
57%
Effective property tax rate
1.67%

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

Numbers for all of Somerset County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,014
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
4.5%

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 Somerset County.

Everything about Somerset County

Buying

Buying a home in Somerset

A typical home in Somerset is worth $163,600: 9% above the county and 36% below Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Somerset ($47,102 a year), a typical home costs 3.5 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.

  • Somerset 3.5 years
  • County 2.5 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Somerset County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Somerset County rose 67% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +18.7% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +67% +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

Somerset next to Somerset 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
  • Somerset $163,600
  • County $150,600
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Somerset $678
  • County $753
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Somerset $47,102
  • County $61,446
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Somerset next to Somerset County and Pennsylvania
Measure Somerset Somerset County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $163,600 $150,600 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $678 $753 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $47,102 $61,446 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 57% 80% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,732 $1,477 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.67% 0.98% 1.3% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 54% 39% 48% 51%

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

For a typical $163,600 home in Somerset, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Somerset's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,456a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,726
    Cash to close
    $10,634
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $72

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,426a month

    Down payment
    $8,180
    Cash to close
    $13,088
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $78

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,182a month

    Down payment
    $32,720
    Cash to close
    $37,628
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,334a month

    Down payment
    $24,540
    Cash to close
    $29,448
    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 Somerset and for Somerset County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Somerset

1.67%of the home’s value each year

$2,732 a year for the typical owner in Somerset.

  • Somerset 1.67%
  • County 0.98%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Somerset County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
4.5%
1,357
Of those, with NFIP insurance
16%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 4.5% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 16% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Somerset

Typical rent in Somerset is $678 a month: 10% below the county. In Somerset, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Somerset County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,014 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.50 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Somerset 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 $749 $14.40 $29,960
1 bedroom $848 $16.31 $33,920
2 bedrooms $1,014 $19.50 $40,560
3 bedrooms $1,343 $25.83 $53,720
4 bedrooms $1,559 $29.98 $62,360

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 Somerset

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Somerset is in ZIP code 15501.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $4 less than the fair market rent for Somerset County ($1,014).

  • 15501 $1,010$1,350

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

HUD lists 12 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Somerset. These are the largest.

  • Village at Somerset 1200 Village Way, Somerset 15501 100 low-income homes · 2 bd: 60 · 3 bd: 33 · 4 bd: 7 · In service since 2010 · For families
  • Village at Somerset 500 Village Way, Somerset 15501 100 low-income homes · For families (814) 443-6434
  • Somerset Towers 126 W Church St, Somerset 15501 87 low-income homes · For older adults (814) 443-2369
  • Coleman Towers 145 W Race St, Somerset 15501 51 homes, 50 low-income · For older adults (814) 443-4711
  • Laurel Village 800 E Main St, Somerset 15501 48 low-income homes · For families (814) 445-7958

See all 19 buildings in Somerset County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Somerset

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 Somerset County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A grandmother pushes her grandson on a playground swing.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Somerset

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

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Somerset

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

  • Fayette County Community Action Agency

    140 N Beeson Ave, Uniontown · 35 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (724) 437-6050

  • Neighborhood Housing Services, DBA NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania

    10 Duff Rd Ste 402, Pittsburgh · 51 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 3 more
    (412) 281-9773

  • Mon Valley Initiative

    303-305 E. 8th Avenue, Homestead · 52 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in American Sign Language (ASL), French, Korean, other languages, and 4 more languages.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 2 more
    412-464-4000-4026

All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Somerset

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 Somerset

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

  • Somerset County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (814) 629-5147

All housing agencies in Pennsylvania Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

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

Everything about Somerset County Housing in Pennsylvania

Neighboring counties

If Somerset 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 Somerset.

All guides
A family walks a boardwalk trail in the forest; one of them uses a wheelchair.

Questions

Housing questions about Somerset

Short answers with the numbers for Somerset and all of Somerset 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 Somerset?

The typical home value in Somerset is $163,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Somerset County it is $150,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Somerset?

Typical rent in Somerset is $678 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Somerset County is $1,014.

What is the FHA loan limit in Somerset?

Somerset uses the FHA limit for all of Somerset 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 Somerset?

The typical homeowner in Somerset pays $2,732 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.67% of the home’s value; in Somerset County, the rate is 0.98%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Somerset 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).