Real Estate Investing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19131)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 19131 (Philadelphia, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 16.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.4% CAGR).
- Elevated poverty: 22.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
What’s happening in Philadelphia, PA (19131)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 19131 Philadelphia
The 19131 ZIP covers a section of Philadelphia that demands careful diligence. Prices near $165K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
The investment case in 19131 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $165K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
On balance, 19131 offers a low basis, the region around Philadelphia has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
Demographically, 19131 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.
appears to 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 Philadelphia:
Property Strategy for 19131
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $143,865 | $1,510 | 7.6% | +4.7% | $143,865 |
| 2BR | $167,411 | $1,800 | 7.7% | +10.6% | $83,706 |
| 3BR | $139,426 | $2,160 | 11.2% | +3.1% | $46,475 |
| 4BR | $181,448 | $2,410 | 9.6% | +3.7% | $45,362 |
| 5BR | $391,265 | — | — | +6.1% | $78,253 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 19131 Compare?
| Metric | 19131 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $164,563 | $260,324 | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.4% | 1.2% | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,629 | $1,659 | - |
| Cap Rate | 7.7% | 5.6% | - |
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 19131 (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
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
Chapel Realty Property Management. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $164,563 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,629 |
| Price-to-Rent | 8.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 11.9% |
| Cap Rate | 7.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +8.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -4.2% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.7%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 19131
Population: 44,799
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 19131
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do rents currently stand in Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia, PA rentals go for roughly $1,629/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $165K acquisition costs.
How should investors approach Philadelphia, PA?
The best-fit strategy in Philadelphia, PA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Philadelphia, PA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Philadelphia, PA. Rents at $1,629/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
How expensive is real estate in Philadelphia, PA?
Expect median prices around $165K in Philadelphia, PA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.
Is Philadelphia in PA worth investing in?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Philadelphia, PA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $165K and rents of $1,629/mo drive the underlying numbers.
You know 19131 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19131 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 19131 ranks in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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