Rental Investing in Philadelphia, PA
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
7.4%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$220,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Per month
Population
1,567,442
-0.3% / yr (5y avg)
Calculate Your Return in Philadelphia
Pre-filled with Philadelphia's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.
Property Details
Total acquisition cost before taxes
HOA, insurance, property management
% of time the property is empty
% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)
Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr
Results
Gross Rental Yield
7.36%
Net Rental Yield
4.90%
Cap Rate
4.90%
Monthly Cash Flow
$899.17
Annual Cash Flow
$10,790.00
Market Overview
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
Philadelphia offers significantly above-average rental yields of 7.4%, making it an attractive market for income-focused investors.
Declining population of 0.3% per year may pose risks to long-term rental demand. Investors should focus on established neighborhoods with stable tenant bases.
The vacancy rate of 6.9% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.
Investment Profile
Philadelphia is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.
✓ Strengths
- •High gross yield of 7.4% supports strong monthly cash flow
- •Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
- •Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing
! Risks
- •Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
- •Declining population may increase vacancy risk over time
Key Metrics
How Philadelphia Compares
Philadelphia vs New York: 2.6 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $700,000 | $2,800 | 4.8% | -0.6% |
| Baltimore, MD | $225,000 | $1,300 | 6.9% | -0.7% |
| Hartford, CT | $250,000 | $1,350 | 6.5% | -0.5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $180,000 | $1,200 | 8% | -0.3% |
| Boston, MA | $750,000 | $2,600 | 4.2% | +0.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rental investing profitable in Philadelphia?▾
What is the average rental yield in Philadelphia?▾
How does Philadelphia compare to New York for investors?▾
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Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.