Real Estate Investing in Albion, Pennsylvania (16401)

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

Erie County • Population: 3,842 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 16401 (Albion, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.9% 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 Albion, PA (16401)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $207,799
Avg Monthly Rent $909
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,056
% Renters 18.0%

Market Analysis: 16401 Albion

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Albion's 16401 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $208K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 16401 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 16401 among PA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 16401 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 16401 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $208K 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 Albion:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.1%)
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: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Erie, PA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
19 days
Average time to sell
Fast
10.0%
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 Erie, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 16401

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$52,473/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $166,731 $1,010 4.4% +6.9% $83,365
3BR $196,850 $1,260 4.6% +7.0% $65,617
4BR $209,890 $1,370 4.7% +7.4% $52,473

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$216K$191K$166K$141K$116K$91KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 16401 Compare?

Metric 16401 Albion Erie, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $207,799 $103,900 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $909 $909 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 16401? 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 16401 (Albion, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Erie, PA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
41%
Days Pending
0/2
19 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $207,799
Monthly Rent $909
Price-to-Rent 19.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 16401

Population: 3,842

💰 Median Household Income
$68,056
This area
$68,056
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.3 years
This area
47.3 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.1%
Other/Mixed 2.6%
Black/African American 1.0%
Hispanic/Latino 0.9%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.5%
This area
6.5%
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 16401

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size
$20,340 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Northwestern El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
338 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,340 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Northwestern MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
278 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,340 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Northwestern SHS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
413 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,340 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Albion, PA?

Albion, PA median home values land near $208K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $909/mo-per-month rentals.

Are renters plentiful in Albion, PA?

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

What do landlords charge for rent in Albion, PA?

Expect rents around $909/mo per month in Albion, PA. With home values at $208K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Albion, PA?

PA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Albion inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Albion, PA?

For house hackers, Albion, PA is a challenging. The $909/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $208K property.

You know 16401 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 16401 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 16401 ranks in Erie, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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