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City · 8,573 residents · Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Old Forge , Pennsylvania

In Old Forge, a typical home is worth $174,400 and typical rent is $859 a month. Compared with all of Lackawanna County, typical rent is 15% lower and the typical home value is 14% lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $174,400

    14% below the county

    31% below Pennsylvania

    • Old Forge
    • Lackawanna
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $859a month

    15% below the county

    29% below Pennsylvania

    • Old Forge
    • Lackawanna
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $71,812a year

    8% above the county

    8% below Pennsylvania

    • Old Forge
    • Lackawanna
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    70%

    5 points above the county

    1 points above Pennsylvania

    • Old Forge
    • Lackawanna
    • Pennsylvania

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$228,987
9% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Old Forge is in Lackawanna County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Lackawanna County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Old Forge apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Old Forge rose 9%; in Pennsylvania, it rose 2.2%.

  2. Nearby, in Pittston, the typical home value is $126,800: 27% less than in Old Forge ($174,400).

Sources: Zillow (September 2026 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Old Forge

What homes there are in Old Forge, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 69% of homes here, against 64% in Lackawanna County.

Year built

Homes in Old Forge are newer: the typical year built is 1960; in Lackawanna County, 1955.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 99% of owner-occupied homes in Old Forge sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,380 a month

Lackawanna County: $1,539 a month

Without a mortgage

$547 a month

Lackawanna County: $673 a month

Owners with a mortgage

59%

Lackawanna County: 52%

Owning costs less in Old Forge: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,380 a month; in Lackawanna County, $1,539. Without one, $547.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Old Forge rose 17%; in Lackawanna County, it rose 32%.

The typical rent in Old Forge stayed about the same over that time: the difference is within the Census margin of error.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureOld ForgeLackawanna CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.9%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.9%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.4%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.262.352.392.53
Drive alone 77%76%68%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%4%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%4%3%
Work from home 9%10%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Lackawanna County, a household in Old Forge has 2.26 people on average.

In Old Forge, 77% of workers drive alone to work; in Lackawanna County, 76%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Old Forge?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Old Forge, worth $174,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 25% of the typical household income in Old Forge, which is $71,812 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Lackawanna County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Old Forge. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $6,104 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,497

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$171,241
Total interest
$246,376
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,945 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,676 a month

    Your payment · 25%

  • Tight

    $1,676 to $2,154 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,154 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Old Forge ($71,812 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,497
Principal & interest$1,160
Property tax$188
Home insurance$73
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$77

You need at least $6,104 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Old Forge and Lackawanna County

Old Forge is in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Old Forge's own numbers

Typical home value
$174,400
Typical monthly rent
$859
Typical yearly household income
$71,812
Households that own their home
70%
Effective property tax rate
1.29%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Lackawanna County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,363
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.6%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Lackawanna County.

Everything about Lackawanna County

Buying

Buying a home in Old Forge

A typical home in Old Forge is worth $174,400: 14% below the county and 31% below Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Old Forge ($71,812 a year), a typical home costs 2.4 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Old Forge 2.4 years
  • Lackawanna 3.0 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Lackawanna County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Lackawanna County rose 74% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Lackawanna County.

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.9% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +74% +77% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Old Forge next to Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Old Forge $174,400
  • Lackawanna $201,800
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Old Forge $859
  • Lackawanna $1,007
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Old Forge $71,812
  • Lackawanna $66,223
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Old Forge next to Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania
Measure Old Forge Lackawanna County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $174,400 $201,800 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $859 $1,007 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $71,812 $66,223 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 70% 65% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,254 $3,012 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.29% 1.49% 1.3% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 42% 48% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Lackawanna County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Old Forge

For a typical $174,400 home in Old Forge, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Old Forge's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,497a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $6,104
    Cash to close
    $11,336
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $77

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,465a month

    Down payment
    $8,720
    Cash to close
    $13,952
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $83

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,205a month

    Down payment
    $34,880
    Cash to close
    $40,112
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,367a month

    Down payment
    $26,160
    Cash to close
    $31,392
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Old Forge and for Lackawanna County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Old Forge

1.29%of the home’s value each year

$2,254 a year for the typical owner in Old Forge.

  • Old Forge 1.29%
  • Lackawanna 1.49%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

What Pennsylvania publishes Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Lackawanna County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Lackawanna County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
3.6%
2,657
Of those, with NFIP insurance
29%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 3.6% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 29% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Old Forge

Typical rent in Old Forge is $859 a month: 15% below the county. In Old Forge, 42% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Lackawanna County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,363 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.21 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Lackawanna County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $949 $18.25 $37,960
1 bedroom $1,106 $21.27 $44,240
2 bedrooms $1,363 $26.21 $54,520
3 bedrooms $1,786 $34.35 $71,440
4 bedrooms $1,962 $37.73 $78,480

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Old Forge

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Old Forge is in ZIP code 18518.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,240: $123 less than the fair market rent for Lackawanna County ($1,363).

  • 18518 $1,240$1,620

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Old Forge when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Old Forge

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Lackawanna County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A man leans over the armchair to help a teenage girl with her book.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Old Forge

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Old Forge or Lackawanna County. The ones below are statewide in Pennsylvania: they work in Old Forge the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Old Forge

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Old Forge, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Neighborworks Northeastern Pa/NHS of Lackawanna County

    815 Smith St, Scranton · 3 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (570) 558-2490

  • United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania

    410 Olive St, Scranton · 5 miles away

    • Homelessness services
    • Rental counseling
    (570) 343-8835

  • Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County

    165 Amber Ln, Wilkes Barre · 11 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 2 more
    (570) 826-0510

Every agency in Lackawanna County All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Old Forge

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Old Forge

HUD’s record names them for Old Forge or Lackawanna County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Lackawanna County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (570) 342-7629

2 other authorities have an office in Lackawanna County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Lackawanna County

These cities are also in Lackawanna County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Lackawanna County Housing in Pennsylvania

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Old Forge, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Lackawanna County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Old Forge.

All guides
Two parents walk hand in hand with their little daughter.

Questions

Housing questions about Old Forge

Short answers with the numbers for Old Forge and all of Lackawanna County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Old Forge?

The typical home value in Old Forge is $174,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Lackawanna County it is $201,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Old Forge?

Typical rent in Old Forge is $859 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Lackawanna County is $1,363.

What is the FHA loan limit in Old Forge?

Old Forge uses the FHA limit for all of Lackawanna County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Old Forge?

The typical homeowner in Old Forge pays $2,254 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.29% of the home’s value; in Lackawanna County, the rate is 1.49%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Old Forge?

There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Lackawanna County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).