Real Estate Investing in Pittston, Pennsylvania (18640)

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

Luzerne County • Population: 16,418 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18640 (Pittston, 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: 8.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Pittston, PA (18640)?

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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 $217,214
Avg Monthly Rent $1,150
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,753
% Renters 42.0%

Market Analysis: 18640 Pittston

Investors eyeing 18640 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $217K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 18640 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $217K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 18640 sits on the difficult end of the PA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 18640 ZIP's population of 16,418 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.

The 18640 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 Pittston:

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 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,150/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 18640

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$58,356/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $167,289 $1,310 5.6% +9.6% $83,645
3BR $195,896 $1,710 6.3% +9.7% $65,299
4BR $233,422 $1,850 5.7% +8.6% $58,356

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$225K$201K$177K$153K$130K$106KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,223$1,194$1,165$1,136$1,107$1,078Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 18640 Compare?

Metric 18640 Pittston Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $217,214 $217,214 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,150 $1,150 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18640? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 42% 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 18640 (Pittston, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $217,214
Monthly Rent $1,150
Price-to-Rent 15.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 10.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
8.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18640

Population: 16,418

💰 Median Household Income
$49,753
This area
$49,753
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
42.0%
This area
42.0%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.5%
This area
24.5%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.7 years
This area
40.7 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.9%
This area
8.9%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.5%
Black/African American 5.6%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.8%
This area
20.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.7%
This area
13.7%
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 18640

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$17,821 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Martin F Quinn Pittston Area Primary Ctr

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
454 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,821 Per Student
A Very Good

Pittston City Intrmd Ctr

📚 02 – 04 Elementary
👥
702 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,821 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pittston Area MS

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
959 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,821 Per Student
B Good

Pittston Area SHS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,076 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,821 Per Student
C+ Average

Northeast Secure Treatment Unit

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
26 Students
👨‍🏫
3.3:1 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 92 Off-Campus Students
D
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing
102 students · 4.4 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley
137 students · 5.8 mi
C
Fortis Institute-Forty Fort
159 students · 7.5 mi
C
King's College
1,932 students · 7.9 mi
B
Yeshivath Beth Moshe
41 students · 8.0 mi
C
Wilkes University
5,198 students · 8.6 mi
C+
University of Scranton
4,825 students · 8.7 mi
C
Lackawanna College
1,939 students · 9.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Pittston, PA?

Occupancy in Pittston, PA runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,150/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What kind of tenants rent in Pittston, PA?

Tenant quality in Pittston, PA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $1,150/mo.

Is real estate in Pittston, PA a good investment right now?

Pittston, PA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $217K and rents near $1,150/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What does house hacking look like in Pittston, PA?

For house hackers, Pittston, PA is a challenging. The $1,150/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $217K property.

What investment strategy works best in Pittston, PA?

Most investors in Pittston, 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 18640 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18640 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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