Real Estate Investing in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania (16870)

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

Centre County • Population: 7,386 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 16870 (Port Matilda, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 32.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Port Matilda, PA (16870)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $446,063
Avg Monthly Rent $1,161
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $111,667
% Renters 11.9%

Market Analysis: 16870 Port Matilda

ZIP 16870 in Port Matilda, PA carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $446K and rents of $1,161/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $1,161/mo on a $446K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 16870 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 16870 sits on the difficult end of the PA spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 16870 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 16870, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Port Matilda:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.2%)
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: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
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
🏠

Property Strategy for 16870

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$117,971/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $238,542 $1,290 3.9% +5.5% $119,271
3BR $353,912 $1,570 3.2% +5.4% $117,971
4BR $549,414 $1,710 2.2% +4.7% $137,354
5BR $789,694 +5.7% $157,939

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$466K$409K$352K$295K$238K$181KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 16870 Compare?

Metric 16870 Port Matilda State College, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $446,063 $446,063 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,161 $1,161 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.0% 2.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 16870? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 16870 (Port Matilda, 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
2.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
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 $446,063
Monthly Rent $1,161
Price-to-Rent 32.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.1%
Cap Rate 2.0%
5-Year IRR 6.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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
3.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 16870

Population: 7,386

💰 Median Household Income
$111,667
This area
$111,667
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.9%
This area
11.9%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
55.7%
This area
55.7%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.8 years
This area
41.8 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.1%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Asian 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino 2.2%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
27.1%
This area
27.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.1%
This area
14.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
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 16870

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.1:1 Avg Class Size
$23,317 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Gray's Woods El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,986 Per Student
A Very Good

Port Matilda El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
99 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,647 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

3 Nearby 9,581 Off-Campus Students
B+
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
50,399 students · 9.8 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
13,564 students · 9.8 mi
C
South Hills School of Business & Technology
242 students · 10.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 9,581 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Port Matilda, PA?

Expect median prices around $446K in Port Matilda, PA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

Is Port Matilda, PA suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Port Matilda, PA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What kind of market is Port Matilda, PA for investors?

Investors tracking Port Matilda, PA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $446K median home values and $1,161/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

Is vacancy a concern in Port Matilda, PA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Port Matilda, PA. Rents at $1,161/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Port Matilda, PA?

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

You know 16870 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 16870 ranks in State College, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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