2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Pennsylvania — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

2,184 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 17763 (Ralston, PA) - 82/100
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 82/100
Median value 44/100
State Pennsylvania

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 17763 Ralston PA 82/100 52/100
2 18950 Point Pleasant PA 80/100 44/100
3 17020 Duncannon PA 75/100 26/100
4 17056 Mexico PA 75/100 55/100
5 17771 Trout Run PA 75/100 31/100
6 15223 Pittsburgh PA 74/100 54/100
7 15863 Stump Creek PA 74/100 73/100
8 16853 Milesburg PA 74/100 47/100
9 17859 Orangeville PA 74/100 26/100
10 17043 Lemoyne PA 73/100 50/100
11 18013 Bangor PA 73/100 28/100
12 18327 Delaware Water Gap PA 73/100 56/100
13 18657 Tunkhannock PA 73/100 44/100
14 15474 Point Marion PA 72/100 45/100
15 16230 Hawthorn PA 72/100 57/100
16 16659 Loysburg PA 72/100 57/100
17 17048 Lykens PA 72/100 46/100
18 17751 Mill Hall PA 72/100 46/100
19 17764 Renovo PA 72/100 50/100
20 15853 Ridgway PA 71/100 60/100
21 17033 Hershey PA 71/100 51/100
22 17756 Muncy PA 71/100 16/100
23 17850 Montandon PA 71/100 52/100
24 18063 Martins Creek PA 71/100 54/100
25 18651 Plymouth PA 71/100 31/100
26 16049 Parker PA 70/100 15/100
27 16678 Saxton PA 70/100 56/100
28 16686 Tyrone PA 70/100 34/100
29 17075 Newton Hamilton PA 70/100 55/100
30 17754 Montoursville PA 70/100 54/100
31 18616 Forksville PA 70/100 56/100
32 15003 Ambridge PA 69/100 54/100
33 15901 Johnstown PA 69/100 70/100
34 16115 Darlington PA 69/100 36/100
35 16229 Freeport PA 69/100 27/100
36 17104 Harrisburg PA 69/100 47/100
37 17870 Selinsgrove PA 69/100 54/100
38 17963 Pine Grove PA 69/100 29/100
39 17981 Tremont PA 69/100 53/100
40 18077 Riegelsville PA 69/100 48/100
41 18629 Mehoopany PA 69/100 41/100
42 19034 Fort Washington PA 69/100 44/100
43 15104 Braddock PA 68/100 34/100
44 15545 Hyndman PA 68/100 48/100
45 16940 Nelson PA 68/100 48/100
46 17057 Middletown PA 68/100 44/100
47 17740 Jersey Shore PA 68/100 51/100
48 17776 Waterville PA 68/100 38/100
49 18042 Easton PA 68/100 35/100
50 18630 Meshoppen PA 68/100 26/100
51 19083 Havertown PA 68/100 10/100
52 15084 Tarentum PA 67/100 58/100
53 15316 Brave PA 67/100 64/100
54 16242 New Bethlehem PA 67/100 47/100
55 16342 Polk PA 67/100 32/100
56 16925 Gillett PA 67/100 56/100
57 17101 Harrisburg PA 67/100 52/100
58 17701 Williamsport PA 67/100 37/100
59 17801 Sunbury PA 67/100 54/100
60 17887 White Deer PA 67/100 45/100
61 18046 East Texas PA 67/100 53/100
62 18447 Olyphant PA 67/100 21/100
63 19067 Morrisville PA 67/100 51/100
64 19602 Reading PA 67/100 59/100
65 15030 Creighton PA 66/100 38/100
66 15209 Pittsburgh PA 66/100 54/100
67 16503 Erie PA 66/100 69/100
68 16832 Coburn PA 66/100 55/100
69 17002 Allensville PA 66/100 60/100
70 17003 Annville PA 66/100 38/100
71 17066 Mount Union PA 66/100 58/100
72 17070 New Cumberland PA 66/100 43/100
73 17752 Montgomery PA 66/100 51/100
74 18336 Matamoras PA 66/100 64/100
75 18351 Portland PA 66/100 56/100
76 15059 Midland PA 65/100 42/100
77 15110 Duquesne PA 65/100 67/100
78 15207 Pittsburgh PA 65/100 59/100
79 15647 Larimer PA 65/100 53/100
80 15737 Elmora PA 65/100 65/100
81 15906 Johnstown PA 65/100 70/100
82 16028 East Brady PA 65/100 53/100
83 16656 Irvona PA 65/100 48/100
84 16682 Sproul PA 65/100 27/100
85 17509 Christiana PA 65/100 38/100
86 17844 Mifflinburg PA 65/100 59/100
87 18252 Tamaqua PA 65/100 47/100
88 18615 Falls PA 65/100 46/100
89 19549 Port Clinton PA 65/100 57/100
90 15018 Buena Vista PA 64/100 50/100
91 15233 Pittsburgh PA 64/100 69/100
92 15658 Ligonier PA 64/100 33/100
93 15660 Lowber PA 64/100 55/100
94 15721 Burnside PA 64/100 55/100
95 15865 Sykesville PA 64/100 74/100
96 15868 Weedville PA 64/100 50/100
97 15902 Johnstown PA 64/100 70/100
98 15936 Hooversville PA 64/100 69/100
99 16226 Ford City PA 64/100 59/100
100 16601 Altoona PA 64/100 54/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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: 2026-07-19.

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 pipe infrastructure and EPA 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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