Real Estate Investing in Donora, Pennsylvania (15033)

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

Washington County • Population: 4,592 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 15033 (Donora, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -5.1% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.6% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Donora, PA (15033)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $43,733
Avg Monthly Rent $972
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $42,923
% Renters 47.8%

Market Analysis: 15033 Donora

ZIP 15033 offers what many appreciation markets cannot: an affordable basis at $44K and rent support of $972/mo for rehab-driven equity creation in Washington County.

In 15033, the deal is made on the buy and on the capex. sturdy entry prices of $44K leave room in the budget for light-to-medium renovation, with rent lift to match.

The a strong candidate for piece of regional context is that nearby ZIPs with newer stock and higher basis have priced out of the value-add game. 15033 has not.

Household income in 15033 supports the rent-lift thesis. 4,592 residents, deep working-age cohort, and the kind of tenant profile that responds to upgraded stock.

Value-add plays pencil in 15033 when three things line up: a sub-median purchase, a realistic rehab budget, and a post-rehab rent comp that stands up. All three are present in this ZIP.

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 Donora:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $972/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Pittsburgh, PA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
42 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.7%
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 Pittsburgh, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 15033

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
22.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
-2.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$16,538/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $34,372 $1,080 22.6% -4.5% $17,186
3BR $49,615 $1,380 20.0% -2.9% $16,538

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$61K$55K$49K$43K$37K$31KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 15033 Compare?

Metric 15033 Donora Pittsburgh, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $43,733 $43,733 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $972 $972 N/A -
Cap Rate 17.3% 17.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 15033? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $972/mo on homes averaging $43,733 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

A healthy rental market with 48% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 15033 (Donora, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
17.3%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-5.1%
Declining

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Pittsburgh, PA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
48%
Days Pending
1/2
42 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $43,733
Monthly Rent $972
Price-to-Rent 3.8:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 26.7%
Cap Rate 17.3%
5-Year IRR 12.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR -4.4% ▼
5-Year CAGR -5.1% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 17.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (17.3%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
14.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-5.1%
Declining
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 15033

Population: 4,592

💰 Median Household Income
$42,923
This area
$42,923
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
47.8%
This area
47.8%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.6%
This area
7.6%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.4%
This area
12.4%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.1 years
This area
47.1 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 69.1%
Black/African American 23.3%
Other/Mixed 7.6%
Hispanic/Latino 6.0%
👶 Under 18
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.4%
This area
20.4%
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 15033

Nearby Schools (3 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Monessen El Ctr

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1275 Rostraver St, Monessen
👥
325 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$24,674 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Monessen MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1245 State Rd, Monessen
👥
152 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$24,674 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Monessen SHS

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 1245 State Rd, Monessen
👥
179 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$24,674 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

7 Nearby 1,399 Off-Campus Students
C
Douglas Education Center
200 students · 1.8 mi
C+
Pennsylvania Western University
11,305 students · 8.0 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny
361 students · 11.6 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin
76 students · 12.1 mi
C
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
591 students · 12.2 mi
C
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh
418 students · 12.9 mi
C
West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute
57 students · 13.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,399 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Donora, PA a good place for real estate investing?

The 4.0/5 investability rating in Donora, PA reflects its $44K prices and $972/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within PA.

Is Donora, PA a good market for FHA house hackers?

House hacking in Donora, PA is an attractive. With home values around $44K and rents at $972/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What approach is best for Donora, PA real estate?

Donora, PA investors pursuing value-add and BRRRR deals. The underlying economics ($44K prices, $972/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Does the BRRRR strategy work in Donora, PA?

Donora, PA is a strong for BRRRR. Acquiring below market, rehabbing, and leasing at $972/mo produces solid refinance appraisals against $44K values.

Do properties in Donora, PA satisfy the 1% rule?

Yes, many Donora, PA properties clear the 1% rule. The rent-to-price ratio averages 2.22%, supported by $972/mo rents.

You know 15033 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 15033 ranks in Pittsburgh, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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