Allentown
Investment Analysis

Allentown, PA
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

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City-level screening

20.9x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
4.8%
Recorded YoY field
+3.9%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$285,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,137/mo
Median Income
$47,175
Population
124,871

Housing Screening Context

Allentown has a computed screening multiple of 20.9x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 4.8%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: +3.9%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,137
Annual Gross $13,644

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$356
Insurance (~0.5%) -$119
Maintenance (~1%) -$238
Est. Net Cash Flow $425/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Allentown Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$316K2027$341Kโ–ฒ 8.2%2028$359Kโ–ฒ 13.8%20232024Now
$377K$262K
Current
$285K
2026
Projected
$341K
โ†‘ 8.2% by 2027
Projected
$359K
โ†‘ 13.8% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+6.7%
Confidence:High
Rยฒ:0.97
โ–ผ

When looking at the Allentown housing market forecast for 2026-2028, the data suggests a period of consolidation rather than explosive growth. The recent stagnation, with a 0.0% YoY Price Change, combined with a Market Temperature of 50/100, indicates a market that has found a temporary equilibrium. While the 5-Year Price Change of 48.7% demonstrates significant historical appreciation, the current Median Home Price of $249,450 is beginning to test the limits of local affordability. For those asking if Allentown home prices will drop, the risk grade of C implies some vulnerability to broader economic headwinds, but the 35 Days on Market figure shows that well-priced properties are still moving without stalling.

In the context of Allentown real estate Allentown 2027, the local economy will be the defining factor for stability. As part of the broader Lehigh Valley, Allentown benefits from its strategic location between New York City and Philadelphia, which continues to drive corporate relocation and job growth in logistics and healthcare. However, the Price-to-Rent Ratio of 18.3x is hovering just above the national average, signaling that the rental market remains a competitive alternative for residents priced out of purchasing. This dynamic may cap future price appreciation if wage growth does not accelerate to keep pace with the 8.1% 5-Year CAGR seen previously.

Ultimately, the forecast for Allentown is one of measured stability with modest potential. The Buy/Rent Verdict of NEUTRAL accurately reflects the current landscape: it is neither a buyer's nor a seller's market, but rather a transitional phase. Buyers should not expect the rapid equity gains of the past five years, while sellers must price realistically to attract attention in a market that is no longer overheated. The Price Range of $203,975 โ€“ $303,265 suggests that while entry-level inventory exists, the upper tier faces pressure from interest rate sensitivity. For the 2026-2028 window, Allentown appears poised for steady, incremental growth tied directly to regional employment trends.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
2.5%
5yr CAGR
+6.7%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.7%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +0.9%

Healthcare

76
Score
Good

Risk Factors

Low Risk Profile

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 101.2%
Months Supply 1.3
Price Drops 20%
Gone in 2 Wks 50%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Average

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Allentown.

Total ROI
-2%
on $57,000 invested
Annual ROI
-0.3%
compounded
Total Return
-$971
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$1,119
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y170kY284kY399kY4114kY5130k
Appreciation
$60,082
Cash Flow
-$61,053
Final Equity
$130,443

* Estimates based on 3.9% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for Allentown

Property

Purchase Price$285,000
Monthly Rent$1,137
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$1,008
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$12,102/ year
-21.2%
Cash-on-Cash
1.8%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,137
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,441
โˆ’ Property Tax$285
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$238
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$57
= Net Cash Flow-$1,008

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$57,000
Loan Amount
$228,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$2,145
Gross Yield
4.8%

Investor Toolkit

Research Allentown before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026