Figvest

Rental Investing in Pittsburgh, PA

2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis

Gross Yield

8%

Annual rent / price

Median Home Price

$180,000

As of 2026-Q1

Median Monthly Rent

$1,200

Per month

Population

302,971

-0.3% / yr (5y avg)

Calculate Your Return in Pittsburgh

Pre-filled with Pittsburgh'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)

% of price

Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr

Results

Gross Rental Yield

8.00%

Net Rental Yield

5.27%

Cap Rate

5.27%

Monthly Cash Flow

$790.00

Annual Cash Flow

$9,480.00

> 6% — Excellent4–6% — Good< 4% — Low

Market Overview

Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend

2021
$155,000
2022
$185,000
2023
$182,000
2024
$181,000
2025
$180,000

Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend

2021
$1,050
2022
$1,150
2023
$1,180
2024
$1,190
2025
$1,200

Pittsburgh offers significantly above-average rental yields of 8%, 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 7.8% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.

Investment Profile

Cash Flow Market

Pittsburgh 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 8% 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

Gross Yield8%
Median Home Price$180,000
Median Monthly Rent$1,200
Population Growth-0.3% / yr
Vacancy Rate7.8%

How Pittsburgh Compares

Pittsburgh vs Cleveland: 2.0 percentage point difference in gross yield.

CityMedian PriceMedian RentGross YieldPop. Growth
Cleveland, OH$120,000$1,00010%-0.5%
Charlotte, NC$370,000$1,7005.5%+1.4%
Nashville, TN$420,000$1,7505%+1.3%
Atlanta, GA$350,000$1,7506%+1.6%
Denver, CO$540,000$1,9004.2%+0.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental investing profitable in Pittsburgh?▾
Yes, Pittsburgh offers a gross rental yield of 8%, which is above the national average of around 5–6%. With a median home price of $180,000 and median monthly rent of $1,200, the numbers support profitable rental investing — though your specific results depend on financing terms, expenses, and property management.
What is the average rental yield in Pittsburgh?▾
The average gross rental yield in Pittsburgh is approximately 8%, based on a median home price of $180,000 and median monthly rent of $1,200 (as of 2026-Q1). Net yield, which accounts for vacancy, expenses, and maintenance, is typically 2–3 percentage points lower.
How does Pittsburgh compare to Cleveland for investors?▾
Pittsburgh has a gross yield of 8% compared to 10% in Cleveland, a difference of 2.0 percentage points. Cleveland offers higher current yield. Pittsburgh may compensate through stronger population growth and long-term appreciation potential.

Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Pittsburgh?

Use our free rental yield calculator to model any property — not just the median.

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Compare with nearby cities:

Cleveland, OHCharlotte, NCNashville, TNAtlanta, GA

Data source: Zillow Research. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.