Real Estate Investing in Hazleton, Pennsylvania (18202)

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

Luzerne County • Population: 13,477 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18202 (Hazleton, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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

📈 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 vacancy: 15.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Hazleton, PA (18202)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $259,131
Avg Monthly Rent $1,200
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,589
% Renters 26.7%

Market Analysis: 18202 Hazleton

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 18202 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $259K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $1,200/mo on a $259K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 18202 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 18202 among PA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 18202 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Hazleton averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Hazleton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,200/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
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
39 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.8%
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 18202

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$84,007/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $168,013 $1,300 5.6% +10.2% $84,007
3BR $269,258 $1,690 4.5% +10.0% $89,753
4BR $351,049 $1,830 3.8% +9.6% $87,762

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$271K$237K$204K$171K$137K$104KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 18202 Compare?

Metric 18202 Hazleton Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $259,131 $231,501 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.4% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,200 $1,300 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 4.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18202? 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 18202 (Hazleton, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $259,131
Monthly Rent $1,200
Price-to-Rent 18.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
15.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18202

Population: 13,477

💰 Median Household Income
$53,589
This area
$53,589
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.7%
This area
26.7%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.8%
This area
18.8%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.0 years
This area
42.0 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.4%
Other/Mixed 24.5%
Hispanic/Latino 23.1%
Black/African American 7.1%
👶 Under 18
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.2%
This area
17.2%
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 18202

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
18.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,905 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Hazle Township Early Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
545 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,905 Per Student
B+ Above Average

West Hazleton El/MS

📚 K – 08 School
👥
999 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,905 Per Student
B Good

Maple Manor El/MS

📚 03 – 08 School
👥
1,022 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,905 Per Student
C+ Average

Hazleton Area HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
3,884 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,905 Per Student
C Below Average

Hazleton Area Career Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

2 Nearby 70 Off-Campus Students
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton
510 students · 2.6 mi
C
Hazleton Area Career Center
7 students · 3.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Does house hacking make sense in Hazleton, PA?

House hacking works a challenging in Hazleton, PA. Rents of $1,200/mo against $259K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the renter demographic in Hazleton, PA?

Hazleton, PA offers a stable renter base at the $1,200/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How should investors approach Hazleton, PA?

Most investors in Hazleton, 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.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Hazleton, PA?

Hazleton, PA falls under PA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How do home values compare in Hazleton, PA?

Homes in Hazleton, PA typically sell near $259K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

You know 18202 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18202 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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