Is Indiana County, PA good for real estate investing?

Indiana County has an investment score of 73/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #0 nationally among 0 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Indiana?

The rent-to-price ratio in Indiana County is 6.88% annually, which ranks in the 50th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Indiana?

The median home price in Indiana County is $165,253. This ranks #0 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Indiana?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Indiana County would generate negative cash flow of $251/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Indiana County

PennsylvaniaPopulation: 83,394Pittsburgh, PA Metro

/100

Hold

#0 of 0 counties

#10 in Pennsylvania (67 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated May 18, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$165,253

Median Home Price

0% below national median

$948/mo

Median Rent

0% below national median

6.88%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 50% nationally

-$251

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $948/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$123,940	-$34/mo	6.0%	-1.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$165,253	-$251/mo	4.5%	-7.9%
125% of median newer / premium	$206,566	-$467/mo	3.6%	-11.8%

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$165,253

Down Payment (20%)$33,051

Loan Amount$132,202

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$948

Monthly P&I-$866

Est. Expenses (35%)-$332

Net Cash Flow-$251/mo

4.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-7.9%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.88%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

73/100

Cash Flow(30%)

69/100

Based on 6.88% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

83/100

Based on 4.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

95/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$251/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.5% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

83,394

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield
+Institutional or out-of-state investors who target appreciation markets

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
SusquehannaPA	75	$224,876	Est. pending	—	Strong Buy	View
NorthumberlandPA	75	$158,522	$966	7.31%	Strong Buy	View
BlairPA	74	$166,151	$1,000	7.22%	Buy	View
CurrentIndianaPA	73	$165,253	$948	6.88%	Buy
PhiladelphiaPA	73	$228,589	$1,704	8.94%	Buy	View
BeaverPA	72	$192,005	$1,068	6.67%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

HoldIndiana scores well overall, but a typical leveraged buy-and-hold loses $251/mo at current rates. Consider house hacking, value-add, or all-cash; otherwise a worse score with positive cash flow may be the better deal.

Indiana County in Pennsylvania scores 73/100, ranking #0 of 0 US counties (top 50%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $251/month; the 6.88% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-251/mo

Cap Rate

4.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-7.9%

Related markets

Markets like Indiana with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Indiana

Northumberland County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Pennsylvania →

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Indiana?

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Scenario comparison

Same $948/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$123,940	-$34/mo	6.0%	-1.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$165,253	-$251/mo	4.5%	-7.9%
125% of median newer / premium	$206,566	-$467/mo	3.6%	-11.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$165,253

Down Payment (20%)$33,051

Loan Amount$132,202

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$948

Monthly P&I-$866

Est. Expenses (35%)-$332

Net Cash Flow-$251/mo

4.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-7.9%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.88%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

73/100

Cash Flow(30%)

69/100

Based on 6.88% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

83/100

Based on 4.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

95/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield
+Institutional or out-of-state investors who target appreciation markets

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

County

Verdict

SusquehannaPA

$224,876

Est. pending

—

Strong Buy

View

NorthumberlandPA

$158,522

$966

7.31%

Strong Buy

View

BlairPA

$166,151

$1,000

7.22%

Buy

View

CurrentIndianaPA

$165,253

$948

6.88%

Buy

PhiladelphiaPA

$228,589

$1,704

8.94%

Buy

View

BeaverPA

$192,005

$1,068

6.67%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

Monthly Cash Flow

$-251/mo

Cap Rate

4.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-7.9%