Real Estate Investing in Carbondale, Pennsylvania (18407)

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

Lackawanna County • Population: 14,664 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18407 (Carbondale, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.0% in the last year.

What’s happening in Carbondale, PA (18407)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $175,061
Avg Monthly Rent $1,201
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,084
% Renters 34.3%

Market Analysis: 18407 Carbondale

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Carbondale's 18407 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $175K pricing implies.

Rent of $1,201/mo on a $175K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 18407 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader PA picture, 18407 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 18407 ZIP's population of 14,664 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

The 18407 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 Carbondale:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,201/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 18407

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$48,470/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $144,579 $1,140 5.7% +11.8% $72,290
3BR $178,410 $1,480 6.0% +9.8% $59,470
4BR $193,879 $1,600 5.9% +8.9% $48,470

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$208K$184K$160K$136K$112K$88KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 18407 Compare?

Metric 18407 Carbondale Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $175,061 $175,061 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 4.0% 4.0% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,201 $1,201 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.4% 5.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18407? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 18407 (Carbondale, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $175,061
Monthly Rent $1,201
Price-to-Rent 12.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.2%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). 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
12.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18407

Population: 14,664

💰 Median Household Income
$59,084
This area
$59,084
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.3%
This area
34.3%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.6%
This area
26.6%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.3 years
This area
42.3 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.7%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
Black/African American 1.0%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.2%
This area
21.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
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 18407

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.1:1 Avg Class Size
$18,500 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Carbondale Area JSHS

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
740 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,978 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Carbondale El Sch

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
752 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,978 Per Student
B Good

Fell CS

📚 K – 09 High School Charter
👥
98 Students
👨‍🏫
8.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,543 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

8 Nearby 421 Off-Campus Students
C
Clarks Summit University
558 students · 10.8 mi
D
Johnson College
627 students · 11.8 mi
C
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
76 students · 12.0 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton
838 students · 12.0 mi
C+
Marywood University
2,850 students · 12.6 mi
C
Keystone College
1,051 students · 13.1 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Scranton
205 students · 14.1 mi
C
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
649 students · 14.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is vacancy risk in Carbondale, PA?

Carbondale, PA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Carbondale, PA?

The median home value in Carbondale, PA is roughly $175K. That puts it reasonable relative to the PA statewide average.

Is Carbondale, PA a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking Carbondale, PA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $175K median home values and $1,201/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

What is it like being a landlord in Carbondale, PA?

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

How much rent can I charge in Carbondale, PA?

The typical rental in Carbondale, PA commands about $1,201/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $175K purchase basis.

You know 18407 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18407 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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