Real Estate Investing in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania (17948)

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

Schuylkill County • Population: 4,124 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 17948 (Mahanoy City, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (84/100)

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

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 36.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 22.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
  • Lower household income: $39,583 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Mahanoy City, PA (17948)?

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5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $49,316
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $39,583
% Renters 36.6%

Market Analysis: 17948 Mahanoy City

Investors scanning Mahanoy City, PA for forced-equity plays often land on the 17948 ZIP. A an appealing option for entry near $49K pairs with rents of $1,071/mo to widen the renovation window.

BRRRR works in 17948 because the math supports it. Buy at $49K, rehab, and the refinance step typically recovers capital in a way that flat-yield markets cannot match.

Across Mahanoy City, pockets like 17948 represent the last affordable rungs of a rising ladder. The state-level data shows those rungs thinning.

A renter-heavy, wage-earner demographic anchors 17948. Value-add players rely on that mix — the 37% share is both the tenant source and the buyer pool for future owner-occupied exits.

Experienced operators with contractor networks find 17948 an appealing option for. First-time flippers often underestimate scope, budget, and timeline, which is how deals here turn sour.

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 Mahanoy City:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.2× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Pottsville, PA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
36 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.8%
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 Pottsville, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 17948

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
25.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+12.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$13,940/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $40,136 $1,190 21.3% +12.1% $20,068
3BR $43,332 $1,550 25.8% +12.6% $14,444
4BR $55,759 $1,630 21.0% +12.9% $13,940

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$54K$46K$38K$31K$23K$15KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 17948 Compare?

Metric 17948 Mahanoy City Pottsville, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $49,316 $49,316 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 9.1% 9.1% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 N/A -
Cap Rate 16.9% 16.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 17948? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,071/mo on homes averaging $49,316 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

A healthy rental market with 37% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 17948 (Mahanoy City, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
16.9%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+9.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Pottsville, PA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
47%
Days Pending
0/2
36 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $49,316
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 3.8:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 26.1%
Cap Rate 16.9%
5-Year IRR 26.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 16.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (16.9%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
36.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 17948

Population: 4,124

💰 Median Household Income
$39,583
This area
$39,583
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.6%
This area
36.6%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.2%
This area
9.2%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.8 years
This area
39.8 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
36.6%
This area
36.6%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.1%
Other/Mixed 8.4%
Hispanic/Latino 4.4%
Asian 1.1%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
25.9%
This area
25.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.8%
This area
16.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
22.7%
This area
22.7%
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 17948

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.5:1 Avg Class Size
$21,224 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Mahanoy Area El Sch

📚 K – 06 School
👥
585 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,224 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Mahanoy Area JSHS

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
536 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,224 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

6 Nearby 481 Off-Campus Students
C
Schuylkill Technology Center
74 students · 5.7 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Pottsville
56 students · 8.5 mi
C
Joseph F McCloskey School of Nursing
55 students · 10.0 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton
510 students · 12.4 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill
650 students · 12.8 mi
C
Hazleton Area Career Center
7 students · 12.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Mahanoy City, PA?

Rental rates in Mahanoy City, PA average $1,071/mo. Tenant demand and $49K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the median home value in Mahanoy City, PA?

Mahanoy City, PA home values average about $49K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,071/mo in monthly income.

What is the best play in Mahanoy City, PA?

Investors who focus on value-add and BRRRR deals typically do well in Mahanoy City, PA. The numbers - $49K homes against $1,071/mo rents - support that play.

Does Mahanoy City, PA meet the 1% rule for rental property?

Hitting the 1% rule in Mahanoy City, PA is realistic given the 2.17% average rent-to-price. Most value-add properties push well above that line.

Is Mahanoy City, PA suited for a house hack?

House hacking works an attractive in Mahanoy City, PA. Rents of $1,071/mo against $49K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 17948 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 17948 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 17948 ranks in Pottsville, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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