Real Estate Investing in Scotch Plains, New Jersey (07076)

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

Union County • Population: 24,667 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 07076 (Scotch Plains, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Scotch Plains, NJ (07076)?

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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 $856,113
Avg Monthly Rent $2,673
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $179,531
% Renters 16.7%

Market Analysis: 07076 Scotch Plains

ZIP 07076 in Scotch Plains, NJ carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $856K and rents of $2,673/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 07076 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader NJ picture, 07076 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 07076 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Scotch Plains averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 07076, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Scotch Plains:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,673/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 07076

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$240,769/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $540,664 $2,540 3.4% +8.4% $270,332
3BR $722,308 $3,180 3.2% +8.2% $240,769
4BR $966,917 $3,610 2.7% +9.2% $241,729
5BR $1,359,530 +9.3% $271,906

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$892K$792K$691K$591K$491K$391KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,852$2,712$2,572$2,432$2,292$2,152Jun 2025Dec 2025Jun 2026

📊 How Does 07076 Compare?

Metric 07076 Scotch Plains New Jersey
Home Value $856,113 $856,113 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,673 $2,673 -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 07076? 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 07076 (Scotch Plains, 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
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $856,113
Monthly Rent $2,673
Price-to-Rent 26.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.8%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
1.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 07076

Population: 24,667

💰 Median Household Income
$179,531
This area
$179,531
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
67.5%
This area
67.5%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.8 years
This area
42.8 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.2%
Other/Mixed 12.3%
Asian 12.2%
Black/African American 8.3%
Hispanic/Latino 6.4%
👶 Under 18
25.7%
This area
25.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
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 07076

A Avg School Grade
16 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$22,696 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Evergreen Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
425 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
933 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Terrill Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
834 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Howard B. Brunner Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
415 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A+ Excellent

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
548 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A+ Excellent

School One Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
412 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A+ Excellent

William J. McGinn Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
549 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A Very Good

Academy For Performing Arts

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
240 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,433 Per Student
A Very Good

Union County Career & Technical Institute

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
17 Students
👨‍🏫
0.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,433 Per Student
A Very Good

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,551 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,894 Per Student
A Very Good

Academy For Allied Health Sciences

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,433 Per Student
A Very Good

Academy For Information Technology

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,433 Per Student
A Very Good

Union County Magnet High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,433 Per Student
A Very Good

Union County Tech

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
507 Students
👨‍🏫
21.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,433 Per Student
C+ Average

Hillcrest Academy-North

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
66 Students
👨‍🏫
7.8:1 Class Size
C Below Average

UNION REGIONAL SCHOOL

📚 02 – 12 High School Limited Data
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 1,064 Off-Campus Students
B
Union County Vocational Technical School
60 students · 1.4 mi
D
JFK Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools
572 students · 2.5 mi
C+
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield
160 students · 2.9 mi
C
Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch
70 students · 3.3 mi
C
UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
8,081 students · 3.8 mi
C
Pro Beauty Academy
100 students · 4.6 mi
D
PC AGE-Metropark
56 students · 5.5 mi
C+
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education
397 students · 6.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,064 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vacancy a concern in Scotch Plains, NJ?

Scotch Plains, NJ sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader NJ rental market.

Are tenants stable in Scotch Plains, NJ?

The renter base in Scotch Plains, NJ is reasonable for the $2,673/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields consistent tenants.

How does Scotch Plains, NJ stack up for property investment?

Scotch Plains, NJ rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $856K and rents near $2,673/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is housing expensive in Scotch Plains, NJ?

Homes in Scotch Plains, NJ typically sell near $856K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

What is the average monthly rent in Scotch Plains, NJ?

Average rent in Scotch Plains, NJ is approximately $2,673/mo per month. Against $856K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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How 07076 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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