Real Estate Investing in Lehighton, Pennsylvania (18235)

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

Carbon County • Population: 19,121 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18235 (Lehighton, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Lehighton, PA (18235)?

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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 $284,068
Avg Monthly Rent $1,623
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,989
% Renters 23.4%

Market Analysis: 18235 Lehighton

The 18235 ZIP in Lehighton, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $284K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 18235 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $284K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 18235 among PA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 18235 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 18235 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $284K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Lehighton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,623/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 18235

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$62,709/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $178,815 $1,100 4.4% +7.7% $178,815
2BR $219,155 $1,360 4.5% +9.4% $109,578
3BR $277,860 $1,740 4.5% +9.5% $92,620
4BR $326,030 $1,810 4.0% +9.2% $81,508
5BR $313,543 +9.4% $62,709

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$298K$264K$230K$196K$161K$127KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,649$1,573$1,497$1,421$1,345$1,269May 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 18235 Compare?

Metric 18235 Lehighton Pennsylvania
Home Value $284,068 $284,068 $278,018
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,623 $1,623 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 18235? 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 18235 (Lehighton, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $284,068
Monthly Rent $1,623
Price-to-Rent 14.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 10.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
9.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18235

Population: 19,121

💰 Median Household Income
$68,989
This area
$68,989
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.4%
This area
23.4%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.0%
This area
20.0%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.0 years
This area
48.0 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.7%
Other/Mixed 4.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.6%
This area
21.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
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 18235

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$19,868 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Towamensing El Sch

📚 K – 06 School
👥
332 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,088 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lehighton Area HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
603 Students
👨‍🏫
7.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,128 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lehighton Area MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
504 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,128 Per Student
A Very Good

Lehighton Area Elementary Center

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
1,013 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,128 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

2 Nearby 1,819 Off-Campus Students
C
Lehigh Carbon Community College
6,385 students · 12.6 mi
C
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
12 students · 12.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,819 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Lehighton, PA?

Average rent in Lehighton, PA is approximately $1,623/mo per month. Against $284K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Is Lehighton, PA landlord-friendly?

Lehighton, PA operates under PA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How strong is Lehighton, PA for real estate investors?

Lehighton, PA registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $284K and average rents around $1,623/mo. That combination puts it in the solid tier for investor interest.

What investment strategy works best in Lehighton, PA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Lehighton, PA. The numbers - $284K homes against $1,623/mo rents - support that play.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Lehighton, PA?

Lehighton, PA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader PA rental market.

You know 18235 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 18235 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 18235 ranks in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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