Real Estate Investing in Portage, Pennsylvania (15946)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 15946 (Portage, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- Declining values: -2.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Portage, PA (15946)?
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Market Analysis: 15946 Portage
ZIP 15946 in Portage, PA carries a resilient set of headwinds. Home values near $117K and rents of $873/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 15946 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
ZIP 15946's metrics run below Cambria County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
The demographic picture in 15946 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Portage averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 15946, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Portage:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 15946 Compare?
| Metric | 15946 | Portage | Johnstown, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $116,803 | $116,803 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $873 | $873 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 5.8% | 5.8% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 15946 (Portage, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $116,803 |
| Monthly Rent | $873 |
| Price-to-Rent | 11.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 9.0% |
| Cap Rate | 5.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 2.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -2.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -7.3% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -2.9% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +0.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.8%). 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 15946
Population: 6,630
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 15946
Schools in This ZIP Code
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 691 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical rental rate in Portage, PA?
Investors in Portage, PA typically see rents near $873/mo per month against $117K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Is Portage, PA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
For Portage, PA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
Is Portage, PA a good place for real estate investing?
Yes - Portage, PA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $117K home prices against $873/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
Do landlords face vacancy issues in Portage, PA?
Rental vacancy in Portage, PA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
Is Portage, PA good for house hacking?
The house hack math a challenging in Portage, PA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $873/mo rents and $117K home values.
You know 15946 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 15946 ranks in Johnstown, PA
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