Real Estate Investing in Clifton, New Jersey (07012)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Passaic County • Population: 15,153 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 07012 (Clifton, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Clifton, NJ (07012)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $666,388
Avg Monthly Rent $2,961
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $94,615
% Renters 45.9%

Market Analysis: 07012 Clifton

ZIP 07012 inside Passaic County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $666K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $666K asset, 07012 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader NJ picture, 07012 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 07012 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategically, 07012 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Clifton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,961/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 07012

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$169,748/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $632,391 $2,760 3.1% +9.2% $210,797
4BR $678,991 $3,520 3.7% +9.3% $169,748

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$696K$610K$523K$437K$350K$264KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,094$3,045$2,996$2,947$2,898$2,849Mar 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 07012 Compare?

Metric 07012 Clifton New Jersey
Home Value $666,388 $617,327 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 6.7% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,961 $2,605 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 07012? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 46% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 07012 (Clifton, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 07012 (Clifton, NJ)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $666,388
Monthly Rent $2,961
Price-to-Rent 18.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
1.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 07012

Population: 15,153

💰 Median Household Income
$94,615
This area
$94,615
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
45.9%
This area
45.9%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
45.7%
This area
45.7%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.8 years
This area
37.8 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 65.1%
Other/Mixed 16.4%
Hispanic/Latino 14.3%
Asian 13.0%
Black/African American 5.4%
👶 Under 18
26.3%
This area
26.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 07012

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
19.5:1 Avg Class Size
$26,590 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

School #14

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,590 Per Student
A+ Excellent

School #9

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
301 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,590 Per Student
A+ Excellent
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$26,590 Per Student
C Below Average
👥
48 Students
👨‍🏫
48.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,590 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Berkeley Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
📍 351 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield
👥
467 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,121 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Brookdale Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
📍 1230 Broad Street, Bloomfield
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$24,121 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Carteret Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
📍 158 Grove Street, Bloomfield
👥
372 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$24,121 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Demarest Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
📍 465 Broughton Ave, Bloomfield
👥
483 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,121 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ellen Ochoa School Number 22

📚 04 – 06 School
📍 95 Dayton Ave, Passaic
👥
465 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$34,395 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 3,024 Off-Campus Students
C
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
567 students · 0.9 mi
D
Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield
1,200 students · 1.2 mi
B
Montclair State University
22,570 students · 2.2 mi
D
American Institute-Clifton
735 students · 2.4 mi
C
Eastwick College-Nutley
456 students · 2.6 mi
C
Felician University
2,236 students · 3.6 mi
C
Berkeley College-Woodland Park
2,007 students · 3.9 mi
D
Bloomfield College
910 students · 4.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,024 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Clifton, NJ?

In Clifton, NJ the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $666K prices and $2,961/mo rents suits that approach.

What is the investability score for Clifton, NJ?

Yes - Clifton, NJ a 3.0/5 investability score. With $666K home prices against $2,961/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Clifton, NJ?

The renter base in Clifton, NJ is reasonable for the $2,961/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

Can I house hack in Clifton, NJ?

Clifton, NJ offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,961/mo rent level.

Does Clifton, NJ favor landlords or tenants?

Clifton, NJ operates under NJ law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

You know 07012 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 07012 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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