Real Estate Investing in Donegal, Pennsylvania (15628)

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

Westmoreland County • Population: 423 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 15628 (Donegal, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (39/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 28.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Donegal, PA (15628)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $237,154
Avg Monthly Rent $999
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,031
% Renters 38.7%

Market Analysis: 15628 Donegal

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Donegal's 15628 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $237K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 15628 shows the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 15628 among PA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 15628 ZIP's population of 423 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 15628 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 Donegal:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $999/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$247K$236K$226K$215K$204K$194KNov 2023Mar 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 15628 Compare?

Metric 15628 Donegal Pittsburgh, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $237,154 $237,154 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $999 $999 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 15628? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 39% 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 15628 (Donegal, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low

📉 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 $237,154
Monthly Rent $999
Price-to-Rent 19.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 16.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
28.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 15628

Population: 423

💰 Median Household Income
$57,031
This area
$57,031
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.7%
This area
38.7%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.0%
This area
25.0%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.2 years
This area
52.2 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
28.8%
This area
28.8%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.9%
Other/Mixed 5.1%
👶 Under 18
10.0%
This area
10.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
34.2%
This area
34.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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 15628

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Donegal El Sch

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 138 Schoolhouse Lane, Jones Mills
👥
118 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,529 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

4 Nearby 817 Off-Campus Students
C+
Saint Vincent College
1,442 students · 13.4 mi
C
Saint Vincent Seminary
76 students · 13.4 mi
C
Westmoreland County Community College
4,275 students · 13.9 mi
C
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
1,326 students · 14.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 817 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do home values compare in Donegal, PA?

In Donegal, PA the median home value sits at $237K. Against the broader PA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Can I house hack in Donegal, PA?

Donegal, PA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $237K price point reasonable to enter.

Is Donegal, PA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Our data puts Donegal, PA at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $237K and rents around $999/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Is rental property easy to operate in Donegal, PA?

The landlord environment in Donegal, PA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What is the renter demographic in Donegal, PA?

Tenant quality in Donegal, PA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $999/mo.

You know 15628 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 15628 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 15628 ranks in Pittsburgh, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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