Real Estate Investing in Cranford, New Jersey (07016)

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

Union County • Population: 23,841 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 07016 (Cranford, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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 Cranford, NJ (07016)?

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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 $786,111
Avg Monthly Rent $2,917
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $152,941
% Renters 21.5%

Market Analysis: 07016 Cranford

ZIP 07016 inside Union County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $786K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 07016 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Regionally, 07016 sits on the difficult end of the NJ spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Resident income in 07016 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Cranford:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,917/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 07016

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$218,581/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $323,434 $2,310 5.1% +6.0% $323,434
2BR $463,085 $2,790 4.3% +4.9% $231,542
3BR $735,409 $3,490 3.4% +7.5% $245,136
4BR $874,326 $3,970 3.3% +8.0% $218,581
5BR $1,100,701 +8.0% $220,140

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$827K$743K$659K$575K$491K$407KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,233$3,139$3,045$2,951$2,857$2,762Mar 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 07016 Compare?

Metric 07016 Cranford New Jersey
Home Value $786,111 $786,111 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,917 $2,917 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 07016? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 07016 (Cranford, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Union County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Corner Property Management is a property management company serving New Jersey and Pennsylvania. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $786,111
Monthly Rent $2,917
Price-to-Rent 22.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
3.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 07016

Population: 23,841

💰 Median Household Income
$152,941
This area
$152,941
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.5%
This area
21.5%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
63.5%
This area
63.5%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.1 years
This area
43.1 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.4%
Other/Mixed 5.5%
Hispanic/Latino 4.7%
Asian 3.8%
Black/African American 1.3%
👶 Under 18
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
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 07016

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$23,778 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hillside Avenue School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
748 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Orange Avenue School

📚 03 – 08 School
👥
769 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Livingston Avenue School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
251 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Brookside Place School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
357 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Walnut Avenue School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
305 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cranford High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,081 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bloomingdale Avenue School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
240 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,778 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Arthur L. Johnson High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 365 WESTFIELD AVENUE, CLARK
👥
754 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,510 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Carl H. Kumpf School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 59 MILDRED TERRACE, CLARK
👥
531 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,510 Per Student
A+ Excellent

David Brearley Middle/High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 401 Monroe Avenue, Kenilworth
👥
778 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$27,743 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Harrison Elementary School

📚 01 – 04 Elementary
📍 310 HARRISON AVE, ROSELLE
👥
310 Students
👨‍🏫
8.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,490 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Leonard V Moore Middle School

📚 05 – 06 School
📍 720 LOCUST ST, ROSELLE
👥
457 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$28,490 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 3,066 Off-Campus Students
C
UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
8,081 students · 1.2 mi
C+
Healthcare Training Institute
103 students · 3.3 mi
B
Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Leyma
47 students · 3.5 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
1,648 students · 3.7 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Union
113 students · 3.9 mi
B
Kean University
13,352 students · 4.0 mi
B
Union County Vocational Technical School
60 students · 4.0 mi
C
Yeshivas Be'er Yitzchok
52 students · 5.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,066 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How qualified is the tenant pool in Cranford, NJ?

Cranford, NJ offers a predictable renter base at the $2,917/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What approach is best for Cranford, NJ real estate?

In Cranford, NJ the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $786K prices and $2,917/mo rents suits that approach.

Is housing expensive in Cranford, NJ?

Homes in Cranford, NJ typically sell near $786K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

What does house hacking look like in Cranford, NJ?

Cranford, NJ offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,917/mo rent level.

Is Cranford in NJ worth investing in?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Cranford, NJ reflects its $786K prices and $2,917/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NJ.

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How 07016 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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