2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Pennsylvania — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

2,184 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 18950 (Point Pleasant, PA) - 80/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 2,184 ZIP codes with data in Pennsylvania, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Pennsylvania Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 2,184
Highest value 80/100
Median value 41/100
State Pennsylvania

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 18950 Point Pleasant PA 80/100 44/100
2 17763 Ralston PA 78/100 52/100
3 17020 Duncannon PA 75/100 26/100
4 17859 Orangeville PA 74/100 26/100
5 15223 Pittsburgh PA 72/100 54/100
6 15863 Stump Creek PA 72/100 73/100
7 16853 Milesburg PA 72/100 47/100
8 17048 Lykens PA 72/100 46/100
9 17764 Renovo PA 72/100 50/100
10 17771 Trout Run PA 72/100 31/100
11 15853 Ridgway PA 71/100 60/100
12 17043 Lemoyne PA 70/100 50/100
13 18327 Delaware Water Gap PA 70/100 56/100
14 18657 Tunkhannock PA 70/100 44/100
15 15474 Point Marion PA 69/100 45/100
16 16230 Hawthorn PA 69/100 57/100
17 16659 Loysburg PA 69/100 57/100
18 17751 Mill Hall PA 69/100 46/100
19 17963 Pine Grove PA 69/100 29/100
20 17981 Tremont PA 69/100 53/100
21 18013 Bangor PA 69/100 28/100
22 18651 Plymouth PA 69/100 31/100
23 16678 Saxton PA 68/100 56/100
24 17033 Hershey PA 68/100 51/100
25 17075 Newton Hamilton PA 68/100 55/100
26 17756 Muncy PA 68/100 16/100
27 17850 Montandon PA 68/100 52/100
28 18063 Martins Creek PA 68/100 54/100
29 15003 Ambridge PA 67/100 54/100
30 15901 Johnstown PA 67/100 70/100
31 16049 Parker PA 67/100 15/100
32 16229 Freeport PA 67/100 27/100
33 16686 Tyrone PA 67/100 34/100
34 16925 Gillett PA 67/100 56/100
35 18616 Forksville PA 67/100 56/100
36 18629 Mehoopany PA 67/100 41/100
37 15104 Braddock PA 66/100 34/100
38 16115 Darlington PA 66/100 36/100
39 17104 Harrisburg PA 66/100 47/100
40 17754 Montoursville PA 66/100 54/100
41 17870 Selinsgrove PA 66/100 54/100
42 18077 Riegelsville PA 66/100 48/100
43 18630 Meshoppen PA 66/100 26/100
44 19034 Fort Washington PA 66/100 44/100
45 15084 Tarentum PA 65/100 58/100
46 15545 Hyndman PA 65/100 48/100
47 16028 East Brady PA 65/100 53/100
48 17057 Middletown PA 65/100 44/100
49 17740 Jersey Shore PA 65/100 51/100
50 17776 Waterville PA 65/100 38/100
51 18042 Easton PA 65/100 35/100
52 18447 Olyphant PA 65/100 21/100
53 19083 Havertown PA 65/100 10/100
54 15316 Brave PA 64/100 64/100
55 15868 Weedville PA 64/100 50/100
56 16242 New Bethlehem PA 64/100 47/100
57 16342 Polk PA 64/100 32/100
58 16928 Knoxville PA 64/100 52/100
59 17002 Allensville PA 64/100 60/100
60 17017 Dalmatia PA 64/100 56/100
61 17040 Landisburg PA 64/100 45/100
62 17101 Harrisburg PA 64/100 52/100
63 17701 Williamsport PA 64/100 37/100
64 17801 Sunbury PA 64/100 54/100
65 17887 White Deer PA 64/100 45/100
66 18837 Rome PA 64/100 51/100
67 19067 Morrisville PA 64/100 51/100
68 19602 Reading PA 64/100 59/100
69 15030 Creighton PA 63/100 38/100
70 15110 Duquesne PA 63/100 67/100
71 15209 Pittsburgh PA 63/100 54/100
72 15841 Force PA 63/100 63/100
73 16503 Erie PA 63/100 69/100
74 16832 Coburn PA 63/100 55/100
75 17003 Annville PA 63/100 38/100
76 17066 Mount Union PA 63/100 58/100
77 17070 New Cumberland PA 63/100 43/100
78 17752 Montgomery PA 63/100 51/100
79 18046 East Texas PA 63/100 53/100
80 18336 Matamoras PA 63/100 64/100
81 18834 New Milford PA 63/100 51/100
82 15059 Midland PA 62/100 42/100
83 15207 Pittsburgh PA 62/100 59/100
84 15522 Bedford PA 62/100 49/100
85 15721 Burnside PA 62/100 55/100
86 15737 Elmora PA 62/100 65/100
87 15865 Sykesville PA 62/100 74/100
88 15902 Johnstown PA 62/100 70/100
89 15906 Johnstown PA 62/100 70/100
90 15936 Hooversville PA 62/100 69/100
91 16656 Irvona PA 62/100 48/100
92 16682 Sproul PA 62/100 27/100
93 17509 Christiana PA 62/100 38/100
94 17814 Benton PA 62/100 43/100
95 17830 Herndon PA 62/100 49/100
96 17844 Mifflinburg PA 62/100 59/100
97 17872 Shamokin PA 62/100 51/100
98 17979 Summit Station PA 62/100 53/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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