Real Estate Investing in Moscow, Pennsylvania (18444)

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

Lackawanna County • Population: 13,681 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18444 (Moscow, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Moscow, PA (18444)?

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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 $297,905
Avg Monthly Rent $1,125
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,750
% Renters 15.7%

Market Analysis: 18444 Moscow

The 18444 ZIP covers a section of Moscow that demands careful diligence. Prices near $298K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,125/mo on a $298K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 18444 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

On the rental side, 18444 offers a low basis, the region around Moscow has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Put differently, 13,681 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

New investors are better served looking at Moscow's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 18444. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Moscow:

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 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,125/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 18444

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$102,952/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $312,591 $1,620 3.7% +8.9% $104,197
4BR $411,807 $1,800 3.1% +8.1% $102,952

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$342K$298K$255K$211K$168K$124KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 18444 Compare?

Metric 18444 Moscow Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $297,905 $297,905 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,125 $1,125 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18444? 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 18444 (Moscow, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $297,905
Monthly Rent $1,125
Price-to-Rent 22.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
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: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
11.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18444

Population: 13,681

💰 Median Household Income
$83,750
This area
$83,750
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.7%
This area
15.7%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.6%
This area
31.6%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.0 years
This area
46.0 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 4.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.7%
Asian 0.7%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.8%
This area
20.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
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 18444

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$21,413 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

North Pocono Intmd Sch

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
424 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,413 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Moscow El Sch

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
608 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,413 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Pocono MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
700 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,413 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Pocono HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
885 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,413 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 362 Off-Campus Students
B
Yeshivath Beth Moshe
41 students · 6.9 mi
C+
University of Scranton
4,825 students · 7.4 mi
C
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
649 students · 7.6 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Scranton
205 students · 7.7 mi
C
Lackawanna College
1,939 students · 7.7 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton
838 students · 8.0 mi
C+
Marywood University
2,850 students · 8.0 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley
137 students · 8.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Moscow, PA stack up for property investment?

Investors tracking Moscow, PA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $298K median home values and $1,125/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

Is rental property easy to operate in Moscow, PA?

Rental owners in Moscow, PA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Moscow, PA?

Moscow, PA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $1,125/mo.

What is the smart move for investors in Moscow, PA?

Moscow, PA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($298K prices, $1,125/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What do rentals go for in Moscow, PA?

The typical rental in Moscow, PA commands about $1,125/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $298K purchase basis.

You know 18444 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18444 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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