Real Estate Investing in Duryea, Pennsylvania (18642)

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

Luzerne County • Population: 4,469 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18642 (Duryea, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

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: 10.0% 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 Duryea, PA (18642)?

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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 $217,006
Avg Monthly Rent $1,197
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,450
% Renters 25.9%

Market Analysis: 18642 Duryea

Investors eyeing 18642 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $217K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 18642 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Duryea have seen price recovery that 18642 has not matched. Luzerne County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 18642 ZIP's population of 4,469 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 18642 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Duryea:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,197/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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$225K$202K$180K$157K$135K$112KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 18642 Compare?

Metric 18642 Duryea Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $217,006 $217,006 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,197 $1,197 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18642? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 18642 (Duryea, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $217,006
Monthly Rent $1,197
Price-to-Rent 15.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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.

Vacancy
10.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18642

Population: 4,469

💰 Median Household Income
$73,450
This area
$73,450
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.9%
This area
25.9%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.0 years
This area
51.0 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.3%
Other/Mixed 6.6%
Hispanic/Latino 5.3%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.1%
This area
27.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
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 18642

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Old Forge JSHS

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 300 Marion St, Old Forge
👥
439 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,770 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Old Forge El Sch

📚 K – 06 School
📍 401 Melmore St, Old Forge
👥
510 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,770 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 92 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley
137 students · 4.2 mi
D
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing
102 students · 6.6 mi
B
Yeshivath Beth Moshe
41 students · 6.9 mi
C+
University of Scranton
4,825 students · 7.2 mi
C
Lackawanna College
1,939 students · 7.3 mi
C
Fortis Institute-Forty Fort
159 students · 7.4 mi
C
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
649 students · 7.5 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Scranton
205 students · 7.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Duryea, PA?

Vacancy risk in Duryea, PA is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

What is the average monthly rent in Duryea, PA?

Expect rents around $1,197/mo per month in Duryea, PA. With home values at $217K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What is the typical renter like in Duryea, PA?

Tenant quality in Duryea, PA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $1,197/mo.

Is Duryea, PA good for landlords?

For rental operators, Duryea, PA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How much does a house cost in Duryea, PA?

In Duryea, PA the median home value sits at $217K. Against the broader PA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

You know 18642 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18642 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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