Real Estate Investing in Pilot Rock, Oregon (97868)

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

Umatilla County • Population: 1,531 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 97868 (Pilot Rock, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 13.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Pilot Rock, OR (97868)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $248,323
Avg Monthly Rent $1,116
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $81,250
% Renters 14.9%

Market Analysis: 97868 Pilot Rock

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Pilot Rock's 97868 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $248K pricing implies.

The investment case in 97868 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $248K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within OR, ZIP 97868 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Umatilla County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

A substantial renter share of 15% in 97868 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 97868 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $248K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Pilot Rock:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,116/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Hermiston-Pendleton, OR Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.1%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Hermiston-Pendleton, OR metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 97868

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$80,300/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $185,753 $1,240 4.8% +8.3% $92,877
3BR $240,901 $1,720 5.1% +7.6% $80,300

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$260K$225K$190K$155K$120K$85KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 97868 Compare?

Metric 97868 Pilot Rock Hermiston-Pendleton, OR Oregon
Home Value $248,323 $248,323 N/A $493,884
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,116 $1,116 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 97868? Click to expand

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

📊 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 97868 (Pilot Rock, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $248,323
Monthly Rent $1,116
Price-to-Rent 18.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
13.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97868

Population: 1,531

💰 Median Household Income
$81,250
This area
$81,250
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.9%
This area
14.9%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.9%
This area
21.9%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.8 years
This area
47.8 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.7%
This area
13.7%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.9%
Other/Mixed 5.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.6%
👶 Under 18
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.2%
This area
0.2%
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 97868

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
19.3:1 Avg Class Size
$36,352 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Pilot Rock High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
155 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$36,352 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pilot Rock Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
139 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$36,352 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Pilot Rock, OR?

Median home price in Pilot Rock, OR is near $248K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been even-keeled and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How deep is the rental pool in Pilot Rock, OR?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Pilot Rock, OR. The rental market absorbs $1,116/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Pilot Rock, OR suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Pilot Rock, OR reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

How much rent can I charge in Pilot Rock, OR?

Pilot Rock, OR rentals go for roughly $1,116/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $248K acquisition costs.

Is Pilot Rock, OR good for landlords?

For rental operators, Pilot Rock, OR rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

You know 97868 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 97868 ranks in Hermiston-Pendleton, OR

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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