Real Estate Investing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19139)

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

Philadelphia County • Population: 44,619 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 19139 (Philadelphia, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

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
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.1% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.4% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Philadelphia, PA (19139)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $127,788
Avg Monthly Rent $1,464
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $36,730
% Renters 60.3%

Market Analysis: 19139 Philadelphia

ZIP 19139 inside Philadelphia, PA leans into a value-add thesis. Home values near $128K sit below the state median, and rents of $1,464/mo leave room for forced-equity plays.

BRRRR works in 19139 because the math supports it. Buy at $128K, rehab, and the refinance step typically recovers capital in a way that flat-yield markets cannot match.

Regionally, 19139 sits on the affordable end of the Philadelphia County map. Put differently, the absolute numbers are modest, the spread between acquisition price and post-rehab value is wider than in turnkey ZIPs.

Demographically, 19139 is a working ZIP — not a luxury market. That profile is exactly what value-add operators need in order to price their renovated product correctly.

BRRRR is the most natural fit. Buy under $128K, rehab, refinance, and the capital recycles in a way turnkey markets cannot replicate.

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:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,464/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 19139

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
11.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+4.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$38,116/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $113,145 $1,500 9.5% +4.2% $56,572
3BR $114,347 $1,800 11.3% +2.3% $38,116
4BR $159,915 $2,010 9.0% +2.6% $39,979
5BR $303,253 +2.3% $60,651

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$148K$126K$103K$81K$58K$36KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,527$1,381$1,236$1,090$945$799Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 19139 Compare?

Metric 19139 Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Home Value $127,788 $260,324 $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A 1.2% 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,464 $1,659 -
Cap Rate 8.9% 5.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 19139? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,464/mo on homes averaging $127,788 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

60% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 19139 (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
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.9%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-1.1%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $127,788
Monthly Rent $1,464
Price-to-Rent 7.3:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 13.8%
Cap Rate 8.9%
5-Year IRR 7.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR -1.1% ▼
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.9%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
16.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 19139

Population: 44,619

💰 Median Household Income
$36,730
This area
$36,730
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
60.3%
This area
60.3%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.4%
This area
7.4%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.0%
This area
20.0%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.1 years
This area
32.1 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.1%
This area
16.1%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 84.9%
White 7.2%
Other/Mixed 5.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.3%
Asian 2.1%
👶 Under 18
24.3%
This area
24.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.8%
This area
24.8%
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 19139

A+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
11.3:1 Avg Class Size
$36,791 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hamilton Andrew Sch

📚 K – 08 School
👥
354 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lea Henry C Sch

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
484 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Rhoads James Sch

📚 K – 08 School
👥
410 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Sayre William L MS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
424 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Locke Alain Sch

📚 K – 08 School
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

West Philadelphia HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
593 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Middle Years Alternative

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
155 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Parkway West

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
167 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
A+ Excellent

The Workshop School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
189 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$36,791 Per Student
B Good

KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS

📚 K – 02 Elementary Charter
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 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
C
Walnut Hill College
127 students · 1.3 mi
A
University of Pennsylvania
28,711 students · 2.0 mi
B
Drexel University
21,703 students · 2.1 mi
B
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
120 students · 2.2 mi
C+
Saint Joseph's University
7,201 students · 2.3 mi
C
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary-Overbrook
173 students · 2.5 mi
C
Moore College of Art and Design
399 students · 3.1 mi
C
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
3,027 students · 3.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BRRRR pencil out in Philadelphia, PA?

BRRRR works a strong in Philadelphia, PA. With $128K ARVs and $1,464/mo rents, investors who buy right can refinance out most of their capital.

Does Philadelphia, PA meet the 1% rule for rental property?

Philadelphia, PA delivers a 1.15% rent-to-price ratio on average. Investors targeting the 1% rule will find solid opportunities.

How much does a house cost in Philadelphia, PA?

Typical homes in Philadelphia, PA go for around $128K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

How does Philadelphia, PA stack up for property investment?

Investors tracking Philadelphia, PA will find a 4.0/5 rating supported by $128K median home values and $1,464/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

What does house hacking look like in Philadelphia, PA?

The house hack math an attractive in Philadelphia, PA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,464/mo rents and $128K home values.

You know 19139 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19139 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 19139 ranks in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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