Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for DuBois, PA
The median monthly rent in DuBois, PA is $980, translating to $11,760 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.73% — below the 1% rule but within a range where deals can work with good financing and disciplined expense management. For context, a 0.73% rent-to-price ratio means that for every $100,000 invested in property, you collect approximately $726/mo in gross rent. The gross rent multiplier of 11.5x means it takes 11.5 years of gross rent to equal the purchase price — an excellent ratio that signals strong income relative to cost.
Renters in DuBois spend approximately 25% of the local median household income ($47,800) on rent. This is well below the 30% threshold, suggesting significant headroom for rent increases. The 30% affordability ceiling puts maximum supportable rent at approximately $1,195/mo — a full $215/mo above the current median of $980. This gap represents real upside for landlords who invest in property upgrades that justify premium rents.
The vacancy rate in DuBois is 6%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Budget for one month of vacancy per year in your underwriting to be conservative. Population growth of 0.2% annually provides stable demand.
DuBois's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 11.5x. A GRM under 12x is excellent — it means you are paying less than 12 years of gross rent for the property, suggesting strong income relative to price. Markets with GRMs this low typically attract institutional and out-of-state investors seeking yield, which can create competition for the best deals. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x. To beat DuBois's median GRM, target properties where you can achieve rents above $980 through renovations, better marketing, or targeting underserved tenant segments — or buy at a discount to the $135,000 median price. Every point lower on GRM translates to roughly 0.5-0.8% improvement in your cap rate.
At the median rent of $980/mo, a single-family rental in DuBois generates approximately $11,760 in gross annual income. After accounting for 6% vacancy ($706 lost), property taxes of $1,863, insurance (~$540), and maintenance (~$540), the estimated NOI is $8,111 per year, or $676/mo. Adding an 8% management fee ($941/yr) reduces investor cash flow further. Before debt service, you are looking at approximately $7,171/yr in landlord net income. Whether this is attractive depends on your total capital invested — at a $27,000 down payment, the unlevered yield on equity from NOI alone is 30.0%.
Rent growth in DuBois is driven by the interplay of population growth (0.2%), income growth, and housing supply constraints. With 0.2% population growth, organic rent growth will be slower — roughly 1.5% annually, taking rents from $980 to $1,056 over 5 years. The affordability headroom of $215/mo between current rents and the 30% income threshold provides substantial room for rent increases without pushing tenants into financial stress.
The median income of $47,800 supports a mixed tenant base of young professionals, small families, and long-term renters. In a smaller market of 50,000 residents, word-of-mouth and local listing platforms may be more effective than national sites for finding tenants.
DuBois is a smaller market where professional PM options may be limited. Fees can run 10-12% of rent, and the quality of available managers varies widely. At $980/mo, management costs roughly $108/mo. Self-management makes sense if you are local, have fewer than 5 units, and the rent level justifies your time — at $980/mo, self-management of a small portfolio saves meaningful dollars but professional management becomes economical at 3-4 units.
DuBois vs Pennsylvania state average and national average across key investment metrics. DuBois outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.