Vacant Land & Development Real Estate in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Vacant Land & Development Real Estate in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton is one of Pennsylvania’s most strategically positioned small cities. Located at the crossroads of I-81, I-84, I-380, and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476), Scranton sits within a few hours of New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

What was once a coal and railroad powerhouse has transitioned into a logistics, healthcare, education, and small manufacturing hub — while also experiencing steady reinvestment in its downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

As a land and development real estate specialist, I work with property owners, investors, and developers to identify vacant land, reposition transitional properties, and structure development and redevelopment projects throughout Scranton and the greater Lackawanna County area.

Scranton offers opportunity across multiple land asset classes: residential, commercial, industrial, transitional redevelopment, limited recreational, and institutional-related land tied to its colleges and hospitals.

Residential Land & Infill Development

Scranton is a neighborhood-driven city, with distinct residential districts including:

  • Green Ridge
  • Hill Section
  • West Scranton
  • South Scranton
  • Pine Brook
  • East Mountain
  • Tripp Park area

Most residential land opportunities fall into three categories:

  • Vacant city lots (infill development)
  • Assemblages for townhouse or small multifamily projects
  • Larger parcels on East Mountain and outer edges of the city

Infill lot pricing typically ranges:

  • $15,000 – $75,000 per lot, depending on neighborhood and utilities.

Larger residential tracts (1–10+ acres) on East Mountain or near city borders may range:

  • $25,000 – $75,000 per acre, depending on access and infrastructure.

Growth drivers include:

  • Healthcare employment (Geisinger CMC, Regional Hospital)
  • Education (University of Scranton, Marywood University)
  • Logistics sector employment
  • Relative affordability compared to New York and New Jersey

East Mountain and areas near Clarks Summit and Dunmore continue to see the strongest residential demand.

Commercial Development Opportunities

Commercial activity in Scranton is concentrated along:

  • Lackawanna Avenue (Downtown)
  • Mulberry Street
  • Wyoming Avenue
  • Keyser Avenue
  • Route 6 / Viewmont corridor (near Dickson City)
  • I-81 interchanges

Downtown Scranton has experienced meaningful redevelopment over the past decade, including:

  • Adaptive reuse of historic office buildings
  • Apartment conversions
  • Restaurant and entertainment growth
  • Medical office repositioning

Commercial land pricing typically ranges:

  • $75,000 – $300,000 per acre, depending on corridor visibility and traffic counts. 
  • High-traffic retail corridors such as Keyser Avenue and the Viewmont area command higher pricing.

Industrial & Logistics Development Scranton is one of Pennsylvania’s most important logistics markets due to its access to:

  • I-81 (north–south freight corridor)
  • I-84 (to New England)
  • I-380 (to I-80)
  • I-476 (Northeast Extension)

Industrial development is strongest in:

  • Jessup
  • Taylor
  • Moosic
  • Dickson City
  • Olyphant

Warehouse and light industrial land typically ranges:

  • $75,000 – $200,000 per acre, depending on interchange proximity and utility availability.

Recent development trends include:

  • E-commerce fulfillment centers
  • Regional distribution facilities
  • Last-mile logistics
  • Flex industrial space

Scranton’s industrial growth is tied directly to proximity to the New York metro area while offering lower costs.

Transitional & Redevelopment Land

Scranton is rich with redevelopment opportunity. Former industrial buildings, warehouse properties, and aging commercial structures provide:

  • Loft apartment conversions
  • Mixed-use development potential
  • Small business incubator space
  • Adaptive reuse for educational or healthcare expansion

The city has utilized:

  • LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance)
  • Keystone Opportunity Zones (in select areas)
  • Historic tax credits
  • Blight remediation programs

Transitional properties often trade based on redevelopment potential rather than land value alone.

Colleges & Development Opportunities

Scranton is home to:

  • University of Scranton
  • Marywood University
  • Lackawanna College
  • Penn State Scranton (nearby in Dunmore)

These institutions drive demand for:

  • Student housing
  • Faculty housing
  • Retail and restaurant space
  • Mixed-use developments
  • Small multifamily properties

Development near campus locations often focuses on:

  • Walkable housing
  • Small apartment buildings
  • Adaptive reuse projects

Recreational & Open Space Land

Scranton is surrounded by natural assets, including:

  • Nay Aug Park
  • Lackawanna River
  • Heritage Trail
  • Montage Mountain (skiing, waterpark, amphitheater)
  • Lake Scranton

Recreational land pricing outside the urban core typically ranges:

  • $10,000 – $40,000 per acre, depending on terrain and access.

Nearby recreational areas increase demand for residential development and short-term rental properties.

Agricultural Land

Within city limits, agricultural land is minimal. However, surrounding areas of Lackawanna County support:

  • Small-scale farming
  • Equestrian properties
  • Agritourism uses

Agricultural land in outer portions of the county typically ranges: $6,000 – $15,000 per acre.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rental demand is strongest:

  • Near Downtown
  • Near Montage Mountain
  • Near universities

The city regulates short-term rentals through permitting and inspection requirements. Investors must confirm zoning compliance before acquisition.

Growth Trends & Market Drivers

Scranton’s growth is steady rather than explosive.

Drivers include:

  • Logistics expansion
  • Remote workers relocating from NYC/NJ
  • Healthcare employment
  • Educational institutions
  • Affordability compared to major metros

Population growth is modest, but reinvestment and stabilization trends are encouraging.

Pricing Overview (General Ranges)

  • Residential Infill Lots: $15,000 – $75,000
  • Residential Development Tracts: $25,000 – $75,000 per acre
  • Commercial Land: $75,000 – $300,000 per acre
  • Industrial Land: $75,000 – $200,000 per acre
  • Recreational Land (outer areas): $10,000 – $40,000 per acre
  • Agricultural Land (county outskirts): $6,000 – $15,000 per acre

Pricing varies significantly based on utilities, zoning, and topography.

Why Work With a Land & Development Specialist in Scranton

Scranton is a market where entitlement strategy, adaptive reuse analysis, and financial modeling matter. A traditional residential agent focuses on comparable sales.

I focus on:

  • Highest and best use
  • Zoning and overlay districts
  • Infrastructure capacity
  • Traffic and access
  • Environmental considerations
  • Incentive programs
  • Project feasibility

For sellers, I market land based on development potential — not just lot size. For buyers and developers, I help navigate risk, structure due diligence, and align projects with the realities of the Scranton market.

Scranton offers meaningful opportunity for those who understand redevelopment, logistics positioning, and neighborhood-driven housing demand. With proper strategy, land and transitional properties here can produce long-term value.