Scranton
Investment Analysis

Scranton, 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

18.1x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
5.5%
Recorded YoY field
+4.8%

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

Median Home Price
$185,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$854/mo
Median Income
$41,601
Population
75,803

Housing Screening Context

Scranton has a computed screening multiple of 18.1x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 5.5%.

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: +4.8%. 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 $854
Annual Gross $10,248

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$231
Insurance (~0.5%) -$77
Maintenance (~1%) -$154
Est. Net Cash Flow $392/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

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

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$190K2027$214Kโ–ฒ 12.7%2028$228Kโ–ฒ 19.6%20232024Now
$239K$154K
Current
$185K
2026
Projected
$214K
โ†‘ 12.7% by 2027
Projected
$228K
โ†‘ 19.6% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+7.2%
Confidence:High
Rยฒ:0.97
โ–ผ

For anyone asking "will Scranton home prices drop" in the near term, the current data suggests a stable glide path rather than a correction. The median home price of $196,150 remains accessible compared to national benchmarks, supported by a price-to-rent ratio of 17.3x that sits just below the national avg of 18x. This indicates buying is still a rational financial choice versus renting. With days on market at 23, demand is steady but not feverish, and the market temperature of 68/100 points to a balanced environment. The 3.2% YoY price change reflects a healthy deceleration from the 5-year CAGR of 8.2%, signaling a market maturing out of its rapid growth phase.

Looking at the Scranton housing market forecast through 2026-2028, I expect appreciation to moderate to a 2-4% annual range as affordability constraints tighten. The local economy, anchored by healthcare and education at institutions like Geisinger and the University of Scranton, provides a stable employment floor, while the city's relative affordability continues to attract buyers priced out of larger metros. However, the risk grade of A and a 5-year price change of 49.0% suggest the easy gains have been realized. For those analyzing "Scranton real estate Scranton 2027," the neutral verdict makes sense: inventory will likely remain tight given the low median rent of $854/mo, which keeps rental demand high and supports prices. The market won't boom, but a bust is equally unlikely.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
3.0%
5yr CAGR
+7.2%

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 98.6%
Months Supply 2.9
Price Drops 26%
Gone in 2 Wks 45%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Average

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Scranton.

Total ROI
44%
on $37,000 invested
Annual ROI
7.6%
compounded
Total Return
$16,246
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$616
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y147kY258kY370kY482kY594k
Appreciation
$48,649
Cash Flow
-$32,403
Final Equity
$94,322

* Estimates based on 4.8% 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 Scranton

Property

Purchase Price$185,000
Monthly Rent$854
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$588
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$7,060/ year
-19.1%
Cash-on-Cash
2.3%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$854
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$935
โˆ’ Property Tax$185
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$154
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$43
= Net Cash Flow-$588

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$37,000
Loan Amount
$148,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$1,442
Gross Yield
5.5%

Investor Toolkit

Research Scranton 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