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City · 6,550 residents · Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Swarthmore , Pennsylvania

In Swarthmore, a typical home is worth $633,800 and typical rent is $1,532 a month. Compared with all of Delaware County, the typical home value is 91% higher, typical household income is 70% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $633,800

    91% above the county

    149% above Pennsylvania

    • Swarthmore
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $1,532a month

    12% above the county

    27% above Pennsylvania

    • Swarthmore
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $152,361a year

    70% above the county

    95% above Pennsylvania

    • Swarthmore
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    76%

    6 points above the county

    7 points above Pennsylvania

    • Swarthmore
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$467,936
3.7% more than 12 months ago

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

Swarthmore is in Delaware County. The FHA loan limit ($630,200 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Delaware County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Swarthmore apart

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

  1. The typical household income in Swarthmore is $152,361, 70% more than in Delaware County as a whole ($89,546).

  2. The typical home in Swarthmore is worth $633,800, 91% more than in Delaware County as a whole ($332,200).

  3. Nearby, in Woodlyn, the typical home value is $230,400: 64% less than in Swarthmore ($633,800).

  4. Nearby, in Prospect Park, the typical rent is $1,183: 23% less than in Swarthmore ($1,532).

  5. 76% of households in Swarthmore own their home, against 70% in Delaware County.

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

The homes here

Housing in Swarthmore

What homes there are in Swarthmore, 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, standing on their own, make up 56% of homes here, against 44% in Delaware County.

Year built

There are fewer big homes in Swarthmore than in Delaware County: 64% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 69%.

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

$3,777 a month

Delaware County: $2,222 a month

Without a mortgage

$1,482 a month

Delaware County: $884 a month

Owners with a mortgage

53%

Delaware County: 63%

In Swarthmore, 53% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $3,777 a month, against $2,222 in Delaware County. Without one it drops to $1,482.

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

Since 2015–2019, homes in Swarthmore gained value faster than in Delaware County: 53% against 36%.

The typical rent in Swarthmore rose 50% over the same time; in Delaware County, it rose 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

MeasureSwarthmoreDelaware CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.8%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.5%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.342.562.392.53
Drive alone 42%64%68%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate7%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate6%4%3%
Walk or bike 25%4%4%3%
Work from home 21%18%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Swarthmore has 2.34 people, fewer than in Delaware County (2.56).

More people walk or bike to work in Swarthmore: 25%, against 4% in Delaware County.

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 Swarthmore?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Swarthmore, worth $633,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 44% of the typical household income in Swarthmore, which is $152,361 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $239,774 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Swarthmore. 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 $22,183 (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

$5,595

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$622,320
Total interest
$895,373
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $10,703 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $3,555 a month

  • Tight

    $3,555 to $4,571 a month

  • Hard

    more than $4,571 a month

    Your payment · 44%

Compared with the typical household income in Swarthmore ($152,361 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$5,595
Principal & interest$4,216
Property tax$835
Home insurance$264
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$280

You need at least $22,183 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

Swarthmore and Delaware County

Swarthmore is in Delaware 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).

Swarthmore's own numbers

Typical home value
$633,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,532
Typical yearly household income
$152,361
Households that own their home
76%
Effective property tax rate
1.58%

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

Numbers for all of Delaware County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$630,200
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,860
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.1%

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 Delaware County.

Everything about Delaware County

Buying

Buying a home in Swarthmore

A typical home in Swarthmore is worth $633,800: 91% above the county and 149% above Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Swarthmore ($152,361 a year), a typical home costs 4.2 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.

  • Swarthmore 4.2 years
  • Delaware 3.7 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Delaware County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Delaware County rose 84% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.6% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +53% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +84% +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

Swarthmore next to Delaware 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
  • Swarthmore $633,800
  • Delaware $332,200
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Swarthmore $1,532
  • Delaware $1,372
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Swarthmore $152,361
  • Delaware $89,546
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Swarthmore next to Delaware County and Pennsylvania
Measure Swarthmore Delaware County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $633,800 $332,200 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,532 $1,372 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $152,361 $89,546 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 76% 70% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $10,001 $6,124 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.58% 1.84% 1.3% 0.94%

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

For a typical $633,800 home in Swarthmore, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Swarthmore's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $5,595a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $22,183
    Cash to close
    $41,197
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $280

  • Conventional, 5% down $5,479a month

    Down payment
    $31,690
    Cash to close
    $50,704
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $301

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $4,533a month

    Down payment
    $126,760
    Cash to close
    $145,774
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $5,119a month

    Down payment
    $95,070
    Cash to close
    $114,084
    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 Swarthmore and for Delaware County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Swarthmore

1.58%of the home’s value each year

$10,001 a year for the typical owner in Swarthmore.

  • Swarthmore 1.58%
  • Delaware 1.84%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Delaware County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.1%
1,813
Of those, with NFIP insurance
39%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.1% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 39% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Swarthmore

Typical rent in Swarthmore is $1,532 a month: 12% above the county.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Delaware County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,860 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $35.77 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Delaware 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 $1,438 $27.65 $57,520
1 bedroom $1,558 $29.96 $62,320
2 bedrooms $1,860 $35.77 $74,400
3 bedrooms $2,216 $42.62 $88,640
4 bedrooms $2,445 $47.02 $97,800

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 Swarthmore

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Swarthmore is in ZIP code 19081.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,850: $10 less than the fair market rent for Delaware County ($1,860).

  • 19081 $1,850$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 Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore

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 4 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Delaware County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Swarthmore

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

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Swarthmore

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

  • Media Fellowship House

    302 S Jackson St, Media · 2 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (610) 565-0434

  • Chester Community Improvement Project

    23 E 5th St, Chester · 4 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 4 more
    (610) 876-8663

  • CCCS of Delaware Valley, Inc. DBA Clarifi

    8600 W Chester Pike, Upper Darby · 6 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 2 more
    (800) 989-2227

Every agency in Delaware County All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Swarthmore

None 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 Swarthmore

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

  • Housing Authority County of Delaware Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (610) 876-2521

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

Cities

Other cities in Delaware County

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

Everything about Delaware County Housing in Pennsylvania
See 9 more cities in Delaware County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

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

Neighboring counties

If Delaware 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 Swarthmore.

All guides
A father, a mother and their daughter smile among the avocado trees by their home in Somis, California.

Questions

Housing questions about Swarthmore

Short answers with the numbers for Swarthmore and all of Delaware 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 Swarthmore?

The typical home value in Swarthmore is $633,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Delaware County it is $332,200.

How much does it cost to rent in Swarthmore?

Typical rent in Swarthmore is $1,532 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Delaware County is $1,860.

What is the FHA loan limit in Swarthmore?

Swarthmore uses the FHA limit for all of Delaware County (2026): $630,200 for a one-unit home and $1,211,950 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Swarthmore?

The typical homeowner in Swarthmore pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.58% of the home’s value; in Delaware County, the rate is 1.84%.

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

There are 4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Delaware 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).