Real Estate Investing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19104)

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

Philadelphia County • Population: 54,454 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 19104 (Philadelphia, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (34/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.7% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 26.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $33,766 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Philadelphia, PA (19104)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $217,665
Avg Monthly Rent $1,706
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $33,766
% Renters 81.0%

Market Analysis: 19104 Philadelphia

ZIP 19104 in Philadelphia, PA carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $218K and rents of $1,706/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 19104 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $218K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Philadelphia have seen price recovery that 19104 has not matched. Philadelphia County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 19104 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 19104, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Philadelphia:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 42/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,706/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 19104

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
11.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+4.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$47,294/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $255,826 $1,510 4.2% +4.3% $255,826
2BR $252,854 $1,800 5.1% +2.2% $126,427
3BR $141,883 $2,160 11.0% -0.9% $47,294
4BR $286,885 $2,410 6.0% +2.6% $71,721
5BR $489,603 +2.5% $97,921

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$269K$230K$191K$153K$114K$75KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,982$1,825$1,667$1,510$1,352$1,194Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 19104 Compare?

Metric 19104 Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Home Value $217,665 $260,324 $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A 1.2% 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,706 $1,659 -
Cap Rate 6.1% 5.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 19104? Click to expand

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

81% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 19104 (Philadelphia, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Philadelphia County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Atlas Property Management is a boutique team offering personal service for single-family rentals across Napa Valley, serving Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, Sonoma, American Canyon, Hiddenbro summary from their website

Single-family
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Citified Realty & Property Management provides management services for single-family, multi-family, and commercial units in Philadelphia, focusing on tenant satisfaction. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamilyCommercial
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Chapel Realty Property Management. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.1%
Good
5yr Growth
-2.7%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $217,665
Monthly Rent $1,706
Price-to-Rent 10.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.4%
Cap Rate 6.1%
5-Year IRR 3.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.8% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.7% ▼
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +1.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 6.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (6.1%). 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
17.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.7%
Declining
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 19104

Population: 54,454

💰 Median Household Income
$33,766
This area
$33,766
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
81.0%
This area
81.0%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
45.5%
This area
45.5%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
22.9 years
This area
22.9 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 38.2%
White 37.3%
Asian 15.6%
Other/Mixed 8.8%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
👶 Under 18
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
7.7%
This area
7.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
26.1%
This area
26.1%
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 19104

A+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
13.0:1 Avg Class Size
$34,247 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

McMichael Morton Sch

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
280 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Washington Martha Sch

📚 K – 08 School
👥
222 Students
👨‍🏫
8.5:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Powel Samuel Sch

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
306 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

School of the Future

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
560 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A Very Good

Penn Alexander Sch

📚 K – 08 School
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A Very Good

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
60 Students
👨‍🏫
5.8:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A Very Good

Belmont CS

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
945 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$25,056 Per Student
A Very Good

Inquiry CS

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
268 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,087 Per Student
A Very Good

Robeson HS for Human Services

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
289 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A Very Good

Science Leadership Academy MS

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
352 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 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 5,060 Off-Campus Students
B
Drexel University
21,703 students · 0.5 mi
C
Walnut Hill College
127 students · 0.6 mi
A
University of Pennsylvania
28,711 students · 0.6 mi
C
Moore College of Art and Design
399 students · 1.4 mi
D
Academy of Vocal Arts
21 students · 1.5 mi
B+
Curtis Institute of Music
159 students · 1.6 mi
F
Peirce College
872 students · 1.7 mi
C
Community College of Philadelphia
12,224 students · 1.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,060 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Philadelphia, PA?

Average rent in Philadelphia, PA is approximately $1,706/mo per month. Against $218K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Philadelphia, PA?

Philadelphia, PA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is Philadelphia in PA worth investing in?

Our data puts Philadelphia, PA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $218K and rents around $1,706/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Can I house hack in Philadelphia, PA?

Philadelphia, PA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $218K price point reasonable to enter.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Philadelphia, PA?

PA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Philadelphia generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

You know 19104 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19104 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.

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How 19104 ranks in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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