Cost of Living in Somerset County, Pennsylvania
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Somerset County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Somerset County ranks #869 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 28%)
Sourced county brief
Somerset County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $753 Monthly
The median gross rent in Somerset County was $753 per month according to the ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates, which is lower than the Pennsylvania unweighted county mean of $991. The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was 25.9%, or 1.8 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 27.7%. For owner-occupied units, the median monthly owner cost was $772, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $1,010. The median home value in the county was recorded at $150,600, positioned below the state unweighted county mean of $212,079. Median renter-household income was estimated at $37,836. These data represent a static statistical snapshot of housing costs and income and are not intended for use as relocation or financial advice. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Somerset County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.9% of renter household income in Somerset County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $753 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $772. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,120 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Pennsylvania unweighted mean of county median rents is $991 per month. Somerset County's $753 median is 24.0% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Somerset County
Rent Burden
14.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,434
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.1%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Somerset County
Median home value is $150,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,202 vs. your max of $1,434.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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