Real Estate Investing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania (15909)

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

Cambria County • Population: 4,850 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 15909 (Johnstown, 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -4.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 19.8% in the last year.

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

What’s happening in Johnstown, PA (15909)?

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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 $87,347
Avg Monthly Rent $909
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $56,406
% Renters 14.6%

Market Analysis: 15909 Johnstown

Homes in the 15909 ZIP trade near $87K, a discount that has historically rewarded investors willing to renovate. Rent comps near $909/mo support the pro forma.

The an appealing option for angle here is forced equity, not market equity. ZIP 15909 rewards investors who can execute on scope, timeline, and tenant turnover.

The a viable market for piece of regional context is that nearby ZIPs with newer stock and higher basis have priced out of the value-add game. 15909 has not.

The 15909 ZIP's demographic trend has been one of stability with upside — population of 4,850, steady renter share, and an incoming cohort that is willing to pay for improved units.

The durable opportunity in 15909 is buying the worst house on the block, fixing it, and renting it at the top of the local band. That is the strategy, repeated.

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: 53/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.5× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-19.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $909/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)

$126K$114K$102K$90K$78K$67KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 15909 Compare?

Metric 15909 Johnstown Johnstown, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $87,347 $49,995 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $909 $898 N/A -
Cap Rate 8.1% 10.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 15909? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $909/mo on homes averaging $87,347 — 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.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 15909 (Johnstown, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.1%
Excellent
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 $87,347
Monthly Rent $909
Price-to-Rent 8.0:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 12.5%
Cap Rate 8.1%
5-Year IRR 3.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -19.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR -9.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR -4.6% ▼
10-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.1%) 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
15.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-4.6%
Declining
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 15909

Population: 4,850

💰 Median Household Income
$56,406
This area
$56,406
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.8%
This area
16.8%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.6 years
This area
48.6 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.0%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Black/African American 0.7%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.5%
This area
24.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.5%
This area
11.5%
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 15909

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Jackson El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
209 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
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 691 Off-Campus Students
C
DLP Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
108 students · 7.5 mi
B
Commonwealth Technical Institute
132 students · 8.4 mi
C+
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
102 students · 9.6 mi
C+
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
1,940 students · 10.0 mi
C
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
2,286 students · 10.1 mi
C+
Saint Francis University
2,835 students · 14.0 mi
C
Mount Aloysius College
2,967 students · 14.6 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Johnstown, PA reflects an investability rating of 4.0/5, with median home values near $87K and average rents around $909/mo. That combination puts it in the substantial tier for investor interest.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Johnstown, PA?

For house hackers, Johnstown, PA is an attractive. The $909/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $87K property.

Are rents high in Johnstown, PA?

Rents in Johnstown, PA run near $909/mo. Compared with median home prices of $87K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is Johnstown, PA a viable BRRRR market?

BRRRR viability in Johnstown, PA is a strong. Disciplined acquisition and rehab can hit the 75% LTV refinance target at market comps.

Which real estate strategy fits Johnstown, PA?

The best-fit strategy in Johnstown, PA is value-add and BRRRR deals. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

You know 15909 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 15909 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 15909 ranks in Johnstown, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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