Real Estate Investing in Dickson City, Pennsylvania (18519)

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

Lackawanna County • Population: 5,259 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18519 (Dickson City, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Dickson City, PA (18519)?

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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 $202,525
Avg Monthly Rent $1,181
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,049
% Renters 36.8%

Market Analysis: 18519 Dickson City

This part of Lackawanna County is not an easy win. The 18519 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 18519 stands at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader PA picture, 18519 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 18519 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Dickson City averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 18519 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 Dickson City:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,181/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 18519

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$71,714/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $168,068 $1,210 5.2% +10.2% $84,034
3BR $215,141 $1,580 5.3% +7.3% $71,714

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$218K$200K$181K$162K$143K$125KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 18519 Compare?

Metric 18519 Dickson City Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $202,525 $202,525 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 3.2% 3.2% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,181 $1,181 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18519? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 37% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 18519 (Dickson City, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $202,525
Monthly Rent $1,181
Price-to-Rent 14.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
11.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18519

Population: 5,259

💰 Median Household Income
$56,049
This area
$56,049
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.8%
This area
36.8%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.1%
This area
27.1%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.0 years
This area
45.0 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.9%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Hispanic/Latino 3.2%
Black/African American 2.1%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
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 18519

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Neil Armstrong #40

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 N Lincoln Ave & Clearview St, Scranton
👥
427 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,261 Per Student
A Very Good

John Adams #4

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 927 Capouse Ave, Scranton
👥
195 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,261 Per Student
A Very Good

Robert Morris #27

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 1824 Boulevard Ave, Scranton
👥
209 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,261 Per Student
A Very Good

Valley View El Ctr

📚 K – 02 Elementary
📍 901 Main Street, Peckville
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,932 Per Student
B Good

Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 3201 Rockwell Avenue, Scranton
👥
15 Students
👨‍🏫
0.6:1 Class Size
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
D
Johnson College
627 students · 1.0 mi
C
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
76 students · 1.3 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton
838 students · 1.6 mi
C+
Marywood University
2,850 students · 1.9 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Scranton
205 students · 3.3 mi
C
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
649 students · 3.6 mi
C
Clarks Summit University
558 students · 3.6 mi
C
Lackawanna College
1,939 students · 3.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Dickson City, PA?

Typical homes in Dickson City, PA go for around $203K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% predictable price movement.

Is rental property easy to operate in Dickson City, PA?

Landlord-friendliness in Dickson City, PA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How strong is tenant demand in Dickson City, PA?

Working renters make up the core of the Dickson City, PA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

How strong are rents in Dickson City, PA?

The typical rental in Dickson City, PA commands about $1,181/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $203K purchase basis.

Are there empty rentals in Dickson City, PA?

Vacancy in Dickson City, PA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,181/mo.

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How 18519 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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