Pennsylvania Investment Properties: Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh Markets

Buying property in Pennsylvania (PA) can be a great investment. Home values are rising and inventory is growing. If you’re in the market for your next rental or fix & flip, consider looking in the state’s two most populous cities: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. 

At Asset Based Lending (ABL), we have a local mortgage team in PA that knows the ins and outs of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets. They can help you choose (and fund) the best investment opportunities in either city. 

Pennsylvania Housing Market Snapshot

In June 2026, Pennsylvania’s median home listing price reached $324,999, up 1.44% from a year prior and up 12.28% from three years prior. Meanwhile, there were 61,178 active listings, up 4.72% from a year prior and up 20.03% from three years prior.

With home selection widening and home values rising, now could be a good time to find a PA property that will continue appreciating.

Market Comparison: Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh

That said, markets within Pennsylvania vary. Let’s compare Philadelphia and Pittsburgh:

Philadelphia Market

In Philadelphia, the median listing price in June 2026 was $275,000, down 4.35% from a year prior and up 5.77% from three years prior. Meanwhile the number of active listings reached 9,929, up 1.41% from a year prior and up 11.93% from three years prior. 

It’s also important to note the city’s median monthly rent of $1,800, which makes for an impressive median rental yield of 7.9%. 

Pittsburgh Market

By comparison, the median listing price in Pittsburgh in June 2026 was slightly lower at $270,000. This is up 2.21% from a year prior and up 7.82% from three years prior. Meanwhile, as a city with a fraction of Philadelphia’s population, Pittsburgh had just 3,623 active listings, up 12.94% from a year prior and up 30.82% from three years prior.

Pittsburgh’s median monthly rent was $1,500, which represents a median rental yield of 6.66%.

Top Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Within each city, different neighborhoods perform differently, too. Here are the top neighborhoods to consider in Philadelphia ranked by highest median rental yield:

Kensington

Median listing price	$130,000
Median monthly rent	$1,247
Median rental yield	11.51%

Kensington’s median listing price of $130,000 creates a low barrier to entry for new investors. Plus, it helps the neighborhood achieve an impressive 11.51% median rental yield. 

Upper North Philadelphia

Median listing price	$144,000
Median monthly rent	$1,375
Median rental yield	11.46%

Upper North Philadelphia offers a slightly higher median listing price ($144,000), but also a higher median monthly rent ($1,375), resulting in an 11.46% median rental yield.

Southwest Philadelphia

Median listing price	$179,000
Median monthly rent	$1,500
Median rental yield	10.06%

Southwest Philadelphia’s median listing price of $179,000 remains accessible for investors, while its median monthly rent of $1,500 helps deliver a strong 10.06% median rental yield.

Richmond

Median listing price	$185,000
Median monthly rent	$1,500
Median rental yield	9.73%

With a median listing price of $185,000 and median monthly rent of $1,500, Richmond offers a strong 9.73% median rental yield.

Lower North

Median listing price	$224,900
Median monthly rent	$1,650
Median rental yield	8.80%

Lower North carries a higher median listing price of $224,900, but its median monthly rent of $1,650 still supports a solid 8.80% median rental yield.

Top Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

Here are the top Pittsburgh neighborhoods to consider ranked by highest median rental yield:

Carrick

Median listing price	$150,000
Median monthly rent	$1,225
Median rental yield	9.80%

Carrick tops the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods with a median listing price of $150,000 and a median monthly rent of $1,225, adding up to a standout 9.80% median rental yield.

Brookline

Median listing price	$214,500
Median monthly rent	$1,675
Median rental yield	9.37%

Brookline’s median listing price of $214,500 pairs with a median monthly rent of $1,675, resulting in a 9.37% median rental yield, one of the strongest in Pittsburgh.

North Side

Median listing price	$224,929
Median monthly rent	$1,567
Median rental yield	8.36%

North Side offers a median listing price of $224,929 and a median monthly rent of $1,567, translating to an 8.36% median rental yield.

South Side

Median listing price	$225,000
Median monthly rent	$1,450
Median rental yield	7.73%

In South Side, the median listing price sits at $225,000, with a median monthly rent of $1,450 producing a 7.73% median rental yield.

Central Pittsburgh

Median listing price	$295,000
Median monthly rent	$1,750
Median rental yield	7.12%

Central Pittsburgh has the highest median listing price on this list at $295,000, but its median monthly rent of $1,750 still generates a respectable 7.12% median rental yield.

How to Choose the Right PA Investment Property

To maximize your investment returns on a PA property, look for the following:

• High rental yield: The higher the rental yield, the more you stand to gain in recurring income relative to your upfront investment.

• High appreciation potential: Real estate tends to appreciate over time. The faster a property appreciates, the sooner you can capture those gains with a sale or refinance.

• Positive leverage: Any real estate deal can be improved with the right financing. Choose a loan and lender that will enhance your overall returns.

Fund Your Next PA Property With an ABL Loan

To take the next step, consider financing your next PA property with a loan from Asset Based Lending. Whether you’re looking to buy and hold or fix and flip, we have a loan program for you.

Pre-qualify for an investment property loan today!

Note on sources:

• All real estate data taken from Realtor.com® Economic Research.