Real Estate Investing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania (15904)

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

Cambria County • Population: 16,283 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 15904 (Johnstown, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

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

📈 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
3 flags
  • Declining values: -4.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 7.1% in the last year.

What’s happening in Johnstown, PA (15904)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $157,470
Avg Monthly Rent $1,098
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,899
% Renters 28.0%

Market Analysis: 15904 Johnstown

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Johnstown's 15904 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $157K pricing implies.

The 15904 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader PA picture, 15904 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 15904 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 15904 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Johnstown:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-7.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,098/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Johnstown, PA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.8%
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 Johnstown, PA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$228K$206K$184K$163K$141K$119KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,192$1,171$1,149$1,128$1,106$1,085Aug 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 15904 Compare?

Metric 15904 Johnstown Johnstown, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $157,470 $49,995 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,098 $898 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.4% 10.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 15904? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 15904 (Johnstown, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
-4.6%
Declining

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Johnstown, PA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $157,470
Monthly Rent $1,098
Price-to-Rent 12.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 0.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -7.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -8.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -4.6% ▼
10-Year CAGR 0.0% ▼

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). 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
8.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-4.6%
Declining
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 15904

Population: 16,283

💰 Median Household Income
$64,899
This area
$64,899
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.0%
This area
28.0%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.9%
This area
31.9%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.2 years
This area
46.2 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.1%
This area
8.1%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.3%
Other/Mixed 3.0%
Black/African American 1.9%
Asian 1.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.9%
👶 Under 18
14.6%
This area
14.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.2%
This area
27.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
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 15904

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.3:1 Avg Class Size
$16,539 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Richland HS

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
707 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,539 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Richland El Sch

📚 K – 06 School
👥
822 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,539 Per Student
B Good
👥
24 Students
👨‍🏫
1.2:1 Class Size

Nearby Schools (3 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Greater Johnstown MS

📚 05 – 07 School
📍 220 Messenger Street, Johnstown
👥
631 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$24,114 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Greater Johnstown SHS

📚 08 – 12 High School
📍 222 Central Ave, Johnstown
👥
856 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,114 Per Student
C+ Average

Greater Johnstown School District's Cyber Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12
📍 625 Park Ave, Johnstown
👥
120 Students
👨‍🏫
85.7:1 Class Size
💰
$24,114 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

5 Nearby 691 Off-Campus Students
C+
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
102 students · 2.4 mi
C+
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
1,940 students · 2.8 mi
C
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
2,286 students · 2.9 mi
C
DLP Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
108 students · 3.9 mi
B
Commonwealth Technical Institute
132 students · 5.4 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which real estate strategy fits Johnstown, PA?

In Johnstown, PA the impressive play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $157K prices and $1,098/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong is Johnstown, PA for real estate investors?

Johnstown, PA registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $157K and average rents around $1,098/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

Are homes affordable in Johnstown, PA?

Homes in Johnstown, PA typically sell near $157K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

Is Johnstown, PA suited for a house hack?

Johnstown, PA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,098/mo rent level.

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

Working renters make up the core of the Johnstown, PA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 15904 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 15904 ranks in Johnstown, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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