Real Estate Investing in Lancaster, New York (14086)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Erie County • Population: 35,659 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 14086 (Lancaster, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Lancaster, NY (14086)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $388,800
Avg Monthly Rent $1,582
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $95,283
% Renters 17.4%

Market Analysis: 14086 Lancaster

This part of Erie County is not an easy win. The 14086 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Rent of $1,582/mo on a $389K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 14086 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader NY picture, 14086 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 14086 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Lancaster averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 14086 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lancaster:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,582/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
24 days
Average time to sell
Fast
8.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 14086

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$88,001/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $267,009 $1,290 3.5% +8.5% $133,505
3BR $342,531 $1,580 3.3% +7.9% $114,177
4BR $493,090 $1,800 2.6% +8.8% $123,273
5BR $440,003 +8.4% $88,001

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$407K$354K$302K$249K$197K$145KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,636$1,586$1,536$1,486$1,436$1,386Aug 2025Jan 2026May 2026

📊 How Does 14086 Compare?

Metric 14086 Lancaster Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY New York
Home Value $388,800 $388,800 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,582 $1,582 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 14086? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 14086 (Lancaster, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $388,800
Monthly Rent $1,582
Price-to-Rent 20.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
2.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 14086

Population: 35,659

💰 Median Household Income
$95,283
This area
$95,283
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.4%
This area
17.4%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.8%
This area
37.8%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.7 years
This area
45.7 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.5%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Black/African American 1.5%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 14086

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
11.9:1 Avg Class Size
$21,997 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

COMO PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
365 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,997 Per Student
A+ Excellent

COURT STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
291 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,997 Per Student
A+ Excellent

LANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
848 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,997 Per Student
A+ Excellent

HILLVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
454 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,997 Per Student
A Very Good

WILLIAM STREET SCHOOL

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
1,300 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,997 Per Student
A Very Good

LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,646 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,997 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 312 Off-Campus Students
C+
New York Institute of Massage Inc
38 students · 5.9 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Buffalo
78 students · 6.4 mi
C+
Leon Studio One School of Beauty Knowledge
29 students · 7.3 mi
C
Continental School of Beauty Culture-West Seneca
67 students · 8.3 mi
D
Villa Maria College
545 students · 8.5 mi
C
Erie 1 BOCES
312 students · 8.8 mi
C
Daemen University
2,625 students · 9.0 mi
D
Trocaire College
1,104 students · 10.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lancaster, NY stack up for property investment?

Yes - Lancaster, NY a 3.0/5 investability score. With $389K home prices against $1,582/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How much is rent in Lancaster, NY?

Rents in Lancaster, NY run near $1,582/mo. Compared with median home prices of $389K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the typical home price in Lancaster, NY?

Homes in Lancaster, NY typically sell near $389K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

What is the typical renter like in Lancaster, NY?

Tenant quality in Lancaster, NY ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $1,582/mo.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Lancaster, NY?

Vacancy risk in Lancaster, NY is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

You know 14086 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 14086 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 14086 ranks in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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