Real Estate Investing in Milesburg, Pennsylvania (16853)

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

Centre County • Population: 316 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 16853 (Milesburg, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (44/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 17.3% 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 Milesburg, PA (16853)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $223,244
Avg Monthly Rent $1,161
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income N/A
% Renters 32.9%

Market Analysis: 16853 Milesburg

ZIP 16853 inside Centre County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $223K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 16853 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within PA, ZIP 16853 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Centre County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

On balance, 316 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Strategically, 16853 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Milesburg:

Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost × the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,161/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
State College, PA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.6%
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 State College, PA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$233K$206K$179K$152K$125K$98KJan 2013Oct 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 16853 Compare?

Metric 16853 Milesburg State College, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $223,244 $223,244 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,161 $1,161 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 16853? 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 16853 (Milesburg, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Centre County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Nittany Property Management. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on State College, PA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
40%
Days Pending
0/2
34 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $223,244
Monthly Rent $1,161
Price-to-Rent 16.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.2%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
17.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 16853

Population: 316

💰 Median Household Income
N/A
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.9%
This area
32.9%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.8 years
This area
48.8 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
13.7%
This area
13.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.3%
This area
26.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
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 16853

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Wingate El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 776 S Eagle Valley Rd, Wingate
👥
361 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,647 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bellefonte El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 100 W Linn St, Bellefonte
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,749 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS

📚 06 – 12 High School
📍 710 S Eagle Valley Rd, Wingate
👥
852 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,647 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bellefonte Area MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 100 N School St, Bellefonte
👥
617 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,749 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marion-Walker El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 100 School Dr, Bellefonte
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,749 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 9,651 Off-Campus Students
C+
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
126 students · 4.7 mi
B+
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
50,399 students · 10.7 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
13,564 students · 10.7 mi
C
South Hills School of Business & Technology
242 students · 12.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 9,651 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Milesburg, PA?

Most investors in Milesburg, PA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is the typical renter like in Milesburg, PA?

Milesburg, PA offers a consistent renter base at the $1,161/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What price range are homes in Milesburg, PA?

The median home value in Milesburg, PA is roughly $223K. That puts it reasonable relative to the PA statewide average.

How does Milesburg, PA rate as a rental market?

Milesburg, PA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $223K and rents near $1,161/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Where do rents currently stand in Milesburg, PA?

The typical rental in Milesburg, PA commands about $1,161/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $223K purchase basis.

You know 16853 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 16853 ranks in State College, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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