Philadelphia
Investment Analysis

Philadelphia, 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

15.5x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
6.4%
Recorded YoY field
+2.4%

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

Median Home Price
$270,375
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,451/mo
Median Income
$60,302
Population
1,550,542

Housing Screening Context

Philadelphia has a computed screening multiple of 15.5x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 6.4%.

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: +2.4%. 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 $1,451
Annual Gross $17,412

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$338
Insurance (~0.5%) -$113
Maintenance (~1%) -$225
Est. Net Cash Flow $775/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

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

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$237K2027$241Kโ–ฒ 1.8%2028$245Kโ–ฒ 3.4%20232024Now
$257K$212K
Current
$270K
2026
Projected
$241K
โ†‘ 1.8% by 2027
Projected
$245K
โ†‘ 3.4% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+1.4%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.68
โ–ผ

For those evaluating the Philadelphia housing market forecast through 2028, the data suggests a period of steady, sustainable growth rather than explosive gains. With a current median home price of $227,522 and a price-to-rent ratio of just 11.9x, the city remains a relative bargain compared to national averages, underpinning strong rental demand and owner-occupier interest. The modest YoY price change of 1.9% and a 5-year CAGR of 2.6% indicate a market that is cooling from post-pandemic highs but avoiding correction. A market temperature of 64/100 and a low Days on Market of 36 days confirm that while competition has normalized, well-priced homes still move quickly.

Answering the question of will Philadelphia home prices drop significantly, the outlook points toward stability, supported by the city's "A" risk grade and the "BUY" verdict. Affordability remains a key driver, especially as the 5-year price range has only expanded from $199,359 to the current level, showing resilience rather than volatility. Looking ahead to Philadelphia real estate Philadelphia 2027, local economic factors will be pivotal. Continued expansion in the life sciences and education sectors, alongside infrastructure projects like the Schuylkill River Trail development and the revitalization of the Navy Yard, should support job growth and housing demand. However, potential headwinds from broader economic uncertainty and inventory constraints could cap appreciation. While prices are unlikely to fall sharply, buyers should expect moderate appreciation in the 2-3% range annually, making this a balanced market for both investors and long-term residents.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
4.5%
5yr CAGR
+1.4%

Job Market

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

Healthcare

76
Score
Good

Risk Factors

High Crime Area

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 98.6%
Months Supply 4.4
Price Drops 32%
Gone in 2 Wks 39%

Market Position

Affordability Average
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Philadelphia.

Total ROI
-1%
on $54,075 invested
Annual ROI
-0.2%
compounded
Total Return
-$668
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$708
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y163kY272kY381kY491kY5101k
Appreciation
$34,040
Cash Flow
-$34,708
Final Equity
$100,791

* Estimates based on 2.4% 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 Philadelphia

Property

Purchase Price$270,375
Monthly Rent$1,451
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$609
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$7,313/ year
-13.5%
Cash-on-Cash
3.4%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,451
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,367
โˆ’ Property Tax$270
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$225
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$73
= Net Cash Flow-$609

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$54,075
Loan Amount
$216,300
Total Monthly Expenses
$2,060
Gross Yield
6.4%

Investor Toolkit

Research Philadelphia 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