Real Estate Investing in Scranton, Pennsylvania (18504)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 18504 (Scranton, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.
- High vacancy: 13.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Scranton, PA (18504)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 18504 Scranton
Stepping back, ZIP 18504 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $188K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 18504 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Regionally, 18504 sits on the difficult end of the PA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
A significant renter share of 39% in 18504 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
appears to 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Scranton:
Property Strategy for 18504
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $155,527 | $1,230 | 5.7% | +13.6% | $77,764 |
| 3BR | $191,052 | $1,600 | 6.0% | +12.2% | $63,684 |
| 4BR | $224,061 | $1,740 | 5.6% | +10.6% | $56,015 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 18504 Compare?
| Metric | 18504 | Scranton | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $187,978 | $192,047 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.5% | 8.7% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,265 | $1,310 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 18504 (Scranton, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $187,978 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,265 |
| Price-to-Rent | 12.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 8.1% |
| Cap Rate | 5.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 13.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +8.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +11.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). 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.
Demographics in 18504
Population: 20,563
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 18504
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Riverside El Sch West
Riverside JSHS
Newton-Ransom El School
Clarks Summit El Sch
Abington Heights HS
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eviction rules reasonable in Scranton, PA?
Scranton, PA operates under PA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
How strong is tenant demand in Scranton, PA?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Scranton, PA. The rental market absorbs $1,265/mo rents without meaningful friction.
What price range are homes in Scranton, PA?
Homes in Scranton, PA typically sell near $188K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.
Is Scranton, PA a good market for FHA house hackers?
House hacking in Scranton, PA is a challenging. With home values around $188K and rents at $1,265/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
Which investment style suits Scranton, PA?
Most investors in Scranton, 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.
You know 18504 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 18504 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.
How 18504 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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