Thinking about moving near Hershey for a new job? One of the biggest questions is where to live without stretching your budget or turning your daily drive into a headache. If you are comparing housing costs, commute patterns, and day-to-day convenience, Hummelstown deserves a close look. Here is what you should know before you make your move.
Why Hummelstown stands out
Hummelstown is a small borough of about 1.3 square miles with a 2020 population of 4,535. That smaller footprint can appeal to buyers and renters who want to live close to Hershey without choosing a larger suburban area. For many workers, it functions as a practical home base near major Hershey employers.
The borough’s transportation planning documents also point to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center as a major regional destination east of Hummelstown. That matters if your job is tied to the medical campus or other Hershey-area employers. In simple terms, Hummelstown sits in a location that keeps you connected to work while giving you a separate place to call home.
What kinds of homes you can expect
Hummelstown is not just a one-style housing market. Official zoning includes residential single-family, residential mixed, and residential two-family/apartment categories. That tells you the local housing mix includes more than detached houses alone.
In the current market, single-family homes and townhomes appear to be the main for-sale categories buyers will notice first. Broader search filters also show condos, duplex or triplex properties, and land. That gives you options if you want a traditional house, a lower-maintenance setup, or a property with a different price point.
For many relocation buyers, that flexibility is the key advantage. If you are moving on a deadline, you may not need your forever home on day one. Hummelstown offers a market where you can compare size, maintenance needs, and commute convenience without limiting yourself to just one housing type.
Hummelstown housing costs compared with Hershey
As of April 2026, Hummelstown had a median listing price of $386,900 and a median sold price of $350,000. Median price per square foot was $183, with 69 homes in active inventory. On the rental side, the median rent was $2,000 across 25 rentals.
By comparison, Hershey showed a higher median listing price of $419,900, about 60 homes for sale, 20 rentals, and a median rent of $2,400 in the same market snapshot. Zillow’s late April 2026 figures were in a similar range, with typical home values at $385,492 in Hummelstown and $405,209 in Hershey. Both markets were up 3.3% year over year.
The takeaway is fairly straightforward: Hummelstown may offer a lower price point than Hershey while still keeping you close to work. That does not mean every home will be a bargain, but it does mean you may get more room in your budget to weigh tradeoffs like home size, property type, or monthly payment.
What commute life looks like
If you are relocating for work, commute reality matters as much as house hunting. Hummelstown’s 2021 commute profile showed a mean travel-to-work time of 23.6 minutes. The same profile reported 96.4% vehicle access, and the commute mix was dominated by cars, trucks, and vans.
Public transportation played a smaller role, with 4.2% of workers using transit and 0.6% walking to work. That tells you most residents are getting around by car. If you are used to relying on transit every day, this is important to factor into your move planning.
The borough’s transportation network also reflects that road-oriented pattern. Main Street functions as the arterial, while Middletown Road, Railroad Street, Duke Street, and Fiddlers Elbow Road act as major collectors. In day-to-day terms, your route to work will likely depend heavily on road access and traffic timing.
Public transit options for Hershey-area workers
While Hummelstown is largely car-based, there is still a transit option worth knowing about. Capital Area Transit’s Route 322-Hershey/Hummelstown links Downtown Harrisburg, the Capitol Complex, Hummelstown, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Downtown Hershey, Hersheypark Service Center, and Tanger Outlets. The borough plan notes weekday service running roughly from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and includes a park-and-ride stop in Hummelstown.
That can be useful if your schedule and work location line up with the route. It may also help if you want a backup option for some commuting days. Still, for many households moving to the area, a car will remain the main transportation plan.
Major employers drawing people to the area
A big reason people look at Hummelstown is its access to major Hershey-area employers. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is central Pennsylvania’s only locally based academic medical center. It is a 631-bed hospital and Pennsylvania’s only nationally verified Level I Trauma Center for both children and adults.
The campus also includes Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Cancer Institute, and Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. If you work in healthcare, research, or support services tied to that campus, being nearby can simplify your daily routine.
The Hershey Company is also headquartered in Hershey, and it has three manufacturing plants there. Recent Hershey-based job postings have included roles at Hershey’s Technical Center and Hershey’s Chocolate World. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts offers part-time, seasonal, and full-time positions across Hersheypark, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other properties.
Together, those employers create a wide range of relocation scenarios. You might be moving for a hospital role, a corporate position, manufacturing work, or hospitality and entertainment employment. Hummelstown works well because it gives you close-in housing access to several of those employment hubs.
Should you rent or buy first?
If your job start date is close, renting first can be the safer move. General market guidance from Realtor.com suggests renting can fit buyers who want flexibility, lower upfront costs, and fewer maintenance responsibilities. That can be especially helpful if you are still learning your schedule, your exact worksite, or how your commute feels in real life.
Buying often makes more sense if you expect to stay at least five years and you have stable income plus savings for a down payment and closing costs. Once you know your routine and have confidence in the area, buying can become a stronger long-term decision. In Hummelstown, that choice may be easier to explore because median listing prices and median rent were both lower than Hershey’s in the April 2026 snapshot.
A practical way to think about it is this:
- Rent first if your move is fast, your work schedule is still changing, or you want time to test your commute.
- Buy sooner if your job situation is stable, you know the area fits your needs, and you are ready for the upfront costs of ownership.
How to approach your move strategically
Relocation decisions get easier when you break them into a few simple priorities. Before you choose a home, compare your likely work destination with the housing type and budget that fit your current stage of life. A shorter commute can save time, but so can choosing a home that requires less upkeep.
It also helps to narrow your search by questions like these:
- Do you want a single-family home or something lower maintenance, like a townhome?
- Are you comfortable with a mostly car-based commute?
- Would a bus route be useful for your work hours?
- Are you moving quickly and better off renting first?
- Are you aiming for value relative to Hershey pricing while staying nearby?
When you answer those questions early, your search becomes more focused. That can help you avoid rushing into the wrong lease or the wrong purchase just because your move timeline feels tight.
The bottom line on Hummelstown for Hershey workers
If you are relocating to Hershey for work, Hummelstown offers a practical middle ground. It is a small, close-in borough with a mix of housing types, generally lower housing costs than Hershey in the latest market snapshots, and direct access to major employment centers nearby. For many buyers and renters, that balance is exactly what makes the move more manageable.
The best choice depends on your budget, work schedule, and how certain you are about staying long term. If you want local guidance on timing, neighborhood options, or whether renting or buying makes more sense for your move, the Got Bob Hoobler Team at REMAX 1st Advantage can help you build a plan that fits your timeline.
FAQs
Is Hummelstown a good place to live when working in Hershey?
- Hummelstown can be a strong option for Hershey-area workers because it is a small, nearby borough with access to major employers and current housing price points that are lower than Hershey in the April 2026 market snapshot.
What is the average commute time from Hummelstown?
- Hummelstown’s 2021 mean travel-to-work time was 23.6 minutes, with most commuters traveling by car, truck, or van.
Are there rental options in Hummelstown for relocation moves?
- Yes. As of April 2026, Hummelstown had 25 rentals in the market snapshot, with a median rent of $2,000.
Is Hummelstown less expensive than Hershey for housing?
- Based on the April 2026 snapshot in the research report, Hummelstown had a lower median listing price and lower median rent than Hershey.
Can you commute from Hummelstown to Hershey without driving?
- There is a bus option through Capital Area Transit Route 322-Hershey/Hummelstown, but local commute data shows most residents rely on cars and public transit is a secondary option.
What types of homes are available in Hummelstown?
- Hummelstown includes a mix of housing types, including single-family homes, townhomes, and zoning categories that allow mixed residential and two-family or apartment uses.
