Real Estate Investing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (18705)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 18705 (Wilkes-Barre, 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: 13.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Wilkes-Barre, PA (18705)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 18705 Wilkes-Barre
Put differently, ZIP 18705 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $198K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 18705 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Stepping back, 18705 offers a low basis, the region around Wilkes-Barre has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
The 18705 ZIP's population of 15,595 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.
trends toward 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 Wilkes-Barre:
Property Strategy for 18705
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $154,674 | $1,230 | 5.7% | +13.3% | $77,337 |
| 3BR | $183,629 | $1,600 | 6.3% | +13.0% | $61,210 |
| 4BR | $222,376 | $1,740 | 5.6% | +12.2% | $55,594 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 18705 Compare?
| Metric | 18705 | Wilkes-Barre | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $197,658 | $185,807 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 11.1% | 9.9% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,331 | $1,265 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | - | - |
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 18705 (Wilkes-Barre, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $197,658 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,331 |
| Price-to-Rent | 12.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 8.1% |
| Cap Rate | 5.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 16.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +10.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +11.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +11.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +9.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 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 18705
Population: 15,595
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 18705
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Chester Street El Sch
Dana El Ctr
Third Avenue El Sch
State El Ctr
Wyoming Valley West MS
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
Investor Insight: With 2,602 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What monthly rent should investors expect in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Rents in Wilkes-Barre, PA run near $1,331/mo. Compared with median home prices of $198K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
Which investment style suits Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Most investors in Wilkes-Barre, PA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 4.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
What is the median home value in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Wilkes-Barre, PA home values average about $198K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,331/mo in monthly income.
Is Wilkes-Barre, PA suited for a house hack?
House hacking works a challenging in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Rents of $1,331/mo against $198K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
How strong is tenant demand in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The tenant pool in Wilkes-Barre, PA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,331/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
You know 18705 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 18705 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 18705 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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