Real Estate Investing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (15209)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 15209 (Pittsburgh, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Pittsburgh, PA (15209)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 15209 Pittsburgh
The 15209 ZIP covers a section of Pittsburgh that demands careful diligence. Prices near $239K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 15209 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Within PA, ZIP 15209 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Allegheny County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 15209 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategically, 15209 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Pittsburgh:
Property Strategy for 15209
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $104,763 | $1,040 | 7.1% | +8.1% | $104,763 |
| 2BR | $164,262 | $1,260 | 5.5% | +5.3% | $82,131 |
| 3BR | $249,320 | $1,610 | 4.6% | +5.4% | $83,107 |
| 4BR | $356,370 | $1,740 | 3.5% | +5.4% | $89,093 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 15209 Compare?
| Metric | 15209 | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $238,765 | $139,617 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.1% | 2.0% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,086 | $1,523 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.6% | 5.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 15209 (Pittsburgh, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $238,765 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,086 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.5% |
| Cap Rate | 3.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -5.9% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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.
Demographics in 15209
Population: 11,769
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 15209
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5
Pittsburgh Arsenal K-5
Shaler Area MS
Pittsburgh Sunnyside K-8
Propel CS-Northside
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
Investor Insight: With 794 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place for real estate investing?
Pittsburgh, PA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $239K and rents near $1,086/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Pittsburgh, PA?
For house hackers, Pittsburgh, PA is a challenging. The $1,086/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $239K property.
What are vacancy rates like in Pittsburgh, PA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Pittsburgh, PA. Rents at $1,086/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
How do home values compare in Pittsburgh, PA?
Pittsburgh, PA median home values land near $239K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,086/mo-per-month rentals.
What do landlords charge for rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
Average rent in Pittsburgh, PA is approximately $1,086/mo per month. Against $239K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
You know 15209 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 15209 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.
How 15209 ranks in Pittsburgh, PA
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