Real Estate Investing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (17102)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 17102 (Harrisburg, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Elevated poverty: 20.0% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
What’s happening in Harrisburg, PA (17102)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 17102 Harrisburg
The 17102 ZIP in Harrisburg, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $203K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $203K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 17102 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Statewide comparisons place 17102 among PA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Who lives in 17102 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategy in 17102 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $203K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Harrisburg:
Property Strategy for 17102
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $178,326 | $1,140 | 4.6% | — | $178,326 |
| 2BR | $199,242 | $1,400 | 5.1% | +7.5% | $99,621 |
| 3BR | $204,687 | $1,800 | 6.3% | +7.9% | $68,229 |
| 4BR | $217,870 | $1,850 | 6.1% | +9.6% | $54,468 |
| 5BR | $192,670 | — | — | +10.0% | $38,534 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 17102 Compare?
| Metric | 17102 | Harrisburg | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $203,087 | $209,104 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.5% | 6.7% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,313 | $1,377 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 17102 (Harrisburg, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 17102 (Harrisburg, PA)?
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Property managers serving Dauphin County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Harrisburg Property Management Group. summary from their website
Midtown Property Management. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $203,087 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,313 |
| Price-to-Rent | 12.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 7.8% |
| Cap Rate | 5.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +12.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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.
Demographics in 17102
Population: 8,177
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 17102
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Downey Sch
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp
Washington Heights El Sch
Cougar Academy
Capital Area School for the Arts CS
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 5,924 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rental property easy to operate in Harrisburg, PA?
For rental operators, Harrisburg, PA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Is Harrisburg, PA a good place for real estate investing?
Harrisburg, PA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $203K and rents near $1,313/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
How expensive is real estate in Harrisburg, PA?
Expect median prices around $203K in Harrisburg, PA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.
What real estate strategy is ideal for Harrisburg, PA?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Harrisburg, PA. With home values at $203K and rents near $1,313/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.
What is the renter demographic in Harrisburg, PA?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Harrisburg, PA. The rental market absorbs $1,313/mo rents without meaningful friction.
You know 17102 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 17102 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.
How 17102 ranks in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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