Real Estate Investing in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania (17237)

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

Franklin County • Population: 1,672 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 17237 (Mont Alto, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (80/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Mont Alto, PA (17237)?

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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 $233,959
Avg Monthly Rent $1,440
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,286
% Renters 25.8%

Market Analysis: 17237 Mont Alto

The 17237 ZIP in Mont Alto, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $234K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $234K asset, 17237 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Mont Alto have seen price recovery that 17237 has not matched. Franklin County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 17237 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.

The 17237 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Mont Alto:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,440/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
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
37 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.7%
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 Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$244K$214K$184K$154K$124K$93KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 17237 Compare?

Metric 17237 Mont Alto Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $233,959 $233,959 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,440 $1,440 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.8% 4.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 17237? 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 17237 (Mont Alto, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.8%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $233,959
Monthly Rent $1,440
Price-to-Rent 13.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.4%
Cap Rate 4.8%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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.

Vacancy
4.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 17237

Population: 1,672

💰 Median Household Income
$70,286
This area
$70,286
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.8%
This area
25.8%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.3 years
This area
36.3 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 84.9%
Other/Mixed 9.0%
Hispanic/Latino 4.8%
Black/African American 3.0%
Asian 3.0%
👶 Under 18
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.0%
This area
18.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
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 17237

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

C+ Average

South Mountain Secure Trmnt Un

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 10056 South Mountain Rd, South Mountain
👥
25 Students
👨‍🏫
3.1:1 Class Size
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

5 Nearby 122 Off-Campus Students
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto
588 students · 0.4 mi
D
Franklin County Career and Technology Center
51 students · 8.5 mi
C
Wilson College
1,694 students · 9.7 mi
C
Triangle Tech-Chambersburg
63 students · 12.2 mi
C
Mount St. Mary's University
2,499 students · 14.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Which investment style suits Mont Alto, PA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Mont Alto, PA. With home values at $234K and rents near $1,440/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

How high is vacancy risk in Mont Alto, PA?

Vacancy risk in Mont Alto, PA is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

What does house hacking look like in Mont Alto, PA?

For house hackers, Mont Alto, PA is a challenging. The $1,440/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $234K property.

Is housing expensive in Mont Alto, PA?

Mont Alto, PA median home values land near $234K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,440/mo-per-month rentals.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Mont Alto, PA?

Rental rates in Mont Alto, PA average $1,440/mo. Tenant demand and $234K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

You know 17237 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 17237 ranks in Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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