Real Estate Investing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (18706)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 18706 (Wilkes-Barre, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.
- High vacancy: 12.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Wilkes-Barre, PA (18706)?
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Market Analysis: 18706 Wilkes-Barre
Investors eyeing 18706 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $188K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The 18706 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Nearby ZIPs in Wilkes-Barre have seen price recovery that 18706 has not matched. Luzerne County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
A resilient renter share of 33% in 18706 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
New investors are better served looking at Wilkes-Barre's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 18706. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Wilkes-Barre:
Property Strategy for 18706
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $157,323 | $1,170 | 5.4% | +13.1% | $78,662 |
| 3BR | $178,706 | $1,520 | 6.1% | +13.1% | $59,569 |
| 4BR | $228,021 | $1,650 | 5.2% | +11.0% | $57,005 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 18706 Compare?
| Metric | 18706 | Wilkes-Barre | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $187,948 | $185,807 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.7% | 9.9% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,070 | $1,265 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.4% | 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 18706 (Wilkes-Barre, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $187,948 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,070 |
| Price-to-Rent | 14.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.8% |
| Cap Rate | 4.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 13.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +8.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.2% ▲ |
🏠 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 (4.4%). 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 18706
Population: 16,318
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 18706
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Which real estate strategy fits Wilkes-Barre, PA?
In Wilkes-Barre, PA the sturdy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $188K prices and $1,070/mo rents suits that approach.
Is real estate in Wilkes-Barre, PA a good investment right now?
Yes - Wilkes-Barre, PA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $188K home prices against $1,070/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
Are homes affordable in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Homes in Wilkes-Barre, PA typically sell near $188K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Wilkes-Barre, PA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,070/mo rent level.
Are renters plentiful in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The renter base in Wilkes-Barre, PA is reasonable for the $1,070/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.
You know 18706 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 18706 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 18706 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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