Real Estate Investing in Boswell, Pennsylvania (15531)

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

Somerset County • Population: 3,625 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 15531 (Boswell, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 14.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Boswell, PA (15531)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $154,642
Avg Monthly Rent $963
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,172
% Renters 22.5%

Market Analysis: 15531 Boswell

The 15531 ZIP in Boswell, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $155K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $963/mo on a $155K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 15531 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within PA, ZIP 15531 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Somerset County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 15531 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 15531 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $155K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Boswell:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $963/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Somerset, PA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.4%
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 Somerset, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 15531

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+6.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$48,382/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $118,927 $1,070 6.5% +5.5% $59,463
3BR $171,515 $1,440 6.0% +5.4% $57,172
4BR $193,526 $1,610 6.0% +6.7% $48,382

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$165K$149K$132K$116K$100K$83KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 15531 Compare?

Metric 15531 Boswell Somerset, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $154,642 $154,642 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 2.6% 2.6% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $963 $963 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 15531? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 15531 (Boswell, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.6%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Somerset, PA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
56%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $154,642
Monthly Rent $963
Price-to-Rent 13.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 7.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
14.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 15531

Population: 3,625

💰 Median Household Income
$51,172
This area
$51,172
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.5%
This area
22.5%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.5 years
This area
45.5 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.5%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
Asian 1.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.1%
This area
12.1%
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 15531

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.3:1 Avg Class Size
$18,711 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

North Star Central El Sch

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
398 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,711 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Star HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
328 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,711 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

6 Nearby 691 Off-Campus Students
B
Commonwealth Technical Institute
132 students · 10.6 mi
C
DLP Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
108 students · 11.9 mi
C+
Somerset County Technology Center
50 students · 12.8 mi
C
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
2,286 students · 13.9 mi
C+
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
1,940 students · 14.1 mi
C+
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
102 students · 14.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 691 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Boswell, PA?

Median home price in Boswell, PA is near $155K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How strong is the working-renter base in Boswell, PA?

The renter base in Boswell, PA is reasonable for the $963/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

What kind of market is Boswell, PA for investors?

Investors tracking Boswell, PA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $155K median home values and $963/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

Does Boswell, PA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Boswell, PA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Can I house hack in Boswell, PA?

Boswell, PA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $155K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 15531 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 15531 ranks in Somerset, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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