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First-time home buyer programs in Hershey, PA

Quick answer

First-time buyers in Hershey, PA can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Dauphin County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $339,300 median home, 3% down is about $10,179 and the estimated payment is $2,849/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $78,750; value-to-income ratio 4.31. Hershey ranks 10 by home value and 48 by population among 87 places in our PA dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical Hershey home?

ItemHershey
Median home value (Census ACS)$339,300
Pennsylvania median home value$240,500
Down payment (3%)$10,179
Loan amount$329,121
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$2,849
Income needed (28% / 36%)$123,000 / $95,000
Dauphin County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Pennsylvania's 1.35% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,217/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Hershey?

Hershey is in Dauphin County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The Hershey median home value of $339,300 is 41% above the Pennsylvania median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Hershey buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

Colonial ParkElizabethtownProgressLebanonHarrisburgColumbia

First-time buyer loan FAQs for Hershey

On the $339,300 median: 3% conventional ≈ $10,179, 3.5% FHA ≈ $11,876, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Dauphin County become jumbo loans.

At the $339,300 median value (above the Pennsylvania median of $240,500), the estimated payment of $2,849/month at 7.18% needs about $123,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $95,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 1 statewide programs are verified for this city (1 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.