Real Estate Investing in Kingston, Pennsylvania (18704)

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

Luzerne County • Population: 30,997 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18704 (Kingston, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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: 9.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Kingston, PA (18704)?

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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 $222,481
Avg Monthly Rent $1,420
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,867
% Renters 41.9%

Market Analysis: 18704 Kingston

The 18704 ZIP in Kingston, PA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $222K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 18704 shows the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Stepping back, 18704 offers a low basis, the region around Kingston has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 18704 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 18704 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 Kingston:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,420/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 18704

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$61,933/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $167,826 $1,260 5.4% +12.2% $83,913
3BR $210,678 $1,640 5.6% +10.9% $70,226
4BR $261,606 $1,780 4.9% +9.7% $65,401
5BR $309,665 +8.4% $61,933

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$232K$205K$178K$152K$125K$98KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,476$1,410$1,344$1,279$1,213$1,148Apr 2022Jun 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 18704 Compare?

Metric 18704 Kingston Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $222,481 $222,481 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 7.5% 7.5% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,420 $1,420 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18704? 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 →
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 18704 (Kingston, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $222,481
Monthly Rent $1,420
Price-to-Rent 13.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 12.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -2.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
9.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18704

Population: 30,997

💰 Median Household Income
$59,867
This area
$59,867
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
41.9%
This area
41.9%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.1%
This area
30.1%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.5 years
This area
41.5 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.7%
Other/Mixed 7.4%
Hispanic/Latino 5.7%
Black/African American 5.0%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
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 18704

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
14.4:1 Avg Class Size
$17,939 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Chester Street El Sch

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
286 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,939 Per Student
A Very Good

Dana El Ctr

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
600 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,939 Per Student
A Very Good

Third Avenue El Sch

📚 Grade KG Elementary
👥
99 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,939 Per Student
B+ Above Average

State El Ctr

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
1,316 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,939 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Wyoming Valley West MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,141 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,939 Per Student
B+ Above Average

West Side Career & Technology Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Daniel J Flood El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 565 N Washington St, Wilkes Barre
👥
620 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,898 Per Student
A Very Good

Solomon/Plains El Sch

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 41 Abbott St, Plains
👥
708 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,898 Per Student
A Very Good

Solomon/Plains MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 43 Abbott St, Plains
👥
741 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,898 Per Student
B Good

Wilkes-Barre Area HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 2021 Wolfpack Way, Plains
👥
2,470 Students
👨‍🏫
21.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,898 Per Student
B Good

Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 Jumper Road Plains Township, Wilkes-Barre
👥
40 Students
👨‍🏫
1.1:1 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 2,602 Off-Campus Students
C
Fortis Institute-Forty Fort
159 students · 0.7 mi
C
King's College
1,932 students · 2.0 mi
C
Wilkes University
5,198 students · 2.3 mi
D
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing
102 students · 4.5 mi
C
Misericordia University
2,107 students · 6.2 mi
D
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre
353 students · 6.6 mi
C
Luzerne County Community College
4,315 students · 7.6 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley
137 students · 12.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,602 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kingston, PA landlord-friendly?

The landlord environment in Kingston, PA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

How deep is the rental pool in Kingston, PA?

Kingston, PA draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $1,420/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What is the average home sale price in Kingston, PA?

Kingston, PA home values average about $222K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,420/mo in monthly income.

What is the investability score for Kingston, PA?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Kingston, PA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $222K and rents of $1,420/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Kingston, PA?

House hacking works a challenging in Kingston, PA. Rents of $1,420/mo against $222K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 18704 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 18704 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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