Somerton is Philadelphia's northernmost corner, bordering Bensalem, Lower Southampton and Lower Moreland (Wikipedia). It's a great fit for buyers who want city services and a suburban feel, and it has a large, fast-growing community of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, India and Central Asia (same source). Here's how I explain it to the families I help move here.

Photo: Dough4872 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

From Smithfield to Somerton

Somerton was originally a village called Smithfield in Moreland Township and was named for state senator Jacob Sommer; the Somerton name appeared on the post office in 1830 (Wikipedia). Most of today's neighborhoods were built in waves, from Lumar Park (1950–51) and Brentwood (1958) to Philmont Heights (1970–72) and Timberwalk (1986) (same source).

Photo: Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

The vibe

Old Somerton, north of Byberry Road, has many larger pre-1900 homes as well as newer ones, and subdivisions like Tudor Village, Georgetown and Camelot each have their own look (Wikipedia). It's one of the most suburban-feeling parts of the city.

Local favorites

The Somerton Tank Farms are an experiment in urban farming (Wikipedia). The Free Library's Bustleton Branch is at 10199 Bustleton Avenue near George Washington High School (same source). The historic Watson Comly School, built in 1892–93, is on the National Register (same source). Pennypack Park's trails are a short drive south (Wikipedia). I haven't confirmed current hours or seasons for every spot below, so check before you go.

Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Schools

Public schools in Somerton include Watson T. Comly Elementary, William H. Loesche Elementary and George Washington High School, and there are Catholic, private and charter options too (Wikipedia). Always confirm the assigned school for an address with the School District of Philadelphia.

Photo: Coemgenus at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Getting around

Somerton has two SEPTA Regional Rail stations, Forest Hills and Somerton, plus SEPTA bus routes 58 and 84 (Wikipedia). Somerton station on the West Trenton Line has off-street parking (Wikipedia). Roosevelt Boulevard forms the eastern edge (Wikipedia).

Taxes and resale requirements

Philadelphia's real estate tax rate is 1.3998% of a property's assessed value, the combined City and School District rate the City lists for the 2025 tax year (City of Philadelphia). Philadelphia residents pay a 3.735% Wage/Earnings Tax as of July 1, 2026, down from 3.74% (City of Philadelphia), and owner-occupants can apply for the Homestead Exemption, which takes $100,000 off the taxable assessment (City of Philadelphia). When you sell, you can order a Property Sales Certification from the City; it costs $139 and takes five business days (City of Philadelphia). I'll help you order it early so it never slows down your closing.

The Somerton market right now

Somerton has more listings to choose from than most of the Northeast this fall, and the Q3 median rose. That's a good combination for buyers who want options and for sellers who price well.

I pulled these numbers from Bright MLS on October 13, 2026, for residential closed sales with the Bright MLS subdivision listed as Somerton, Philadelphia, by close date. Over the last 12 months (October 2025 through September 2026), 162 homes sold at a median of $412,250 and an average of $422,505. They averaged 23.5 days on market, and the average sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 98.07%. 128 of those 162 sales had 30 or fewer days on market. Q3 2026 alone brought 37 sales at a $455,000 median and 97.49% of original list, averaging 20.7 days on market. As of October 13, 2026 there were 38 active and coming-soon listings.

Source: Bright MLS, Somerton (subdivision field), Philadelphia, Residential, closed by close date, pulled Oct 13, 2026; information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Moving up in Somerton

Most of my clients aren't first-time buyers; they're families selling one home and buying the next at the same time. My job is to run both sides on one calendar: pricing your current home, getting your financing options (a sale-contingent offer, a bridge loan or HELOC, or a rent-back) lined up before you list, and timing the closings so you only move once.

What clients say

John Ciarlante: "I had the pleasure of purchasing my new house with Nick Rau. Nick was always there for questions or concerns. Nick and his team made my purchase an enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend him to family and friends."

Review from Google.

I'm Nick Rau, President of Sales with the Rarity Real Estate Team, ranked in the Top 1% of agents nationally (RealTrends 2025, individual), with more than 135 Google reviews, and I'd love to help you make your move to (or within) Somerton.

Contact Nick

Nick Rau, Rarity Real Estate Team
1100 N Delaware Ave Suite A, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 593-7498
Email: [email protected]
Blog · Google · Zillow · Instagram @nickraure · Facebook · LinkedIn · X · Threads

Latest from Somerton

• Who Pays the Transfer Tax in Pennsylvania, and How Much Is It in Bucks County vs. Philadelphia?
• Chick-fil-A Somerton's Trunk or Treat Takes Over Nabisco Plaza Oct. 21

More local news on the Bucks Co. & Beyond Daily blog.

Somerton FAQ

Is Somerton in Philadelphia or Bucks County?

Somerton is in Philadelphia, in the Far Northeast. It borders Bensalem and Lower Southampton in Bucks County.

Is there a train from Somerton to Center City?

Yes. Forest Hills and Somerton stations are on SEPTA's West Trenton Line.

What's the median home price in Somerton?

Over the last 12 months (Oct 2025–Sep 2026), the median sold price in Somerton was $412,250; in Q3 2026 it was $455,000 (Bright MLS, pulled Oct 13, 2026).

How fast are homes selling in Somerton?

128 of 162 sales over the last 12 months had 30 or fewer days on market, at an average of 98.07% of original list price (Bright MLS, pulled Oct 13, 2026).