Real Estate Investing in South Orange, New Jersey (07079)

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

Essex County • Population: 18,369 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 07079 (South Orange, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (62/100)

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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in South Orange, NJ (07079)?

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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 $1,087,816
Avg Monthly Rent $2,977
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $173,012
% Renters 34.5%

Market Analysis: 07079 South Orange

The 07079 ZIP covers a section of South Orange that demands careful diligence. Prices near $1.1M look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.1M asset, 07079 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Looking more closely, 07079 offers a low basis, the region around South Orange has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

A sturdy renter share of 35% in 07079 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 07079, 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 South Orange:

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 6.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,977/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 07079

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+12.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$258,791/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $517,583 $3,110 4.3% +5.6% $258,791
3BR $853,991 $3,890 3.3% +8.9% $284,664
4BR $1,106,735 $4,420 2.9% +10.2% $276,684
5BR $1,417,906 +12.5% $283,581

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.2M$1,000K$842K$684K$527K$369KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,352$3,215$3,078$2,941$2,804$2,667Jun 2022Jul 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 07079 Compare?

Metric 07079 South Orange New Jersey
Home Value $1,087,816 $1,087,816 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 7.9% 7.9% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,977 $2,977 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 07079? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 07079 (South Orange, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Essex County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Associa Community Management Corporation of New Jersey is an HOA property management company serving Northern and Central New Jersey. summary from their website

HOA
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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
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,087,816
Monthly Rent $2,977
Price-to-Rent 30.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -6.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
3.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 07079

Population: 18,369

💰 Median Household Income
$173,012
This area
$173,012
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.5%
This area
34.5%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
75.9%
This area
75.9%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.8 years
This area
35.8 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 61.6%
Black/African American 24.4%
Other/Mixed 9.3%
Hispanic/Latino 5.4%
Asian 4.7%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.8%
This area
12.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
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 07079

A+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$30,079 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

South Orange Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
769 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,915 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marshall Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
500 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$30,915 Per Student
A+ Excellent

South Mountain Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
650 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,915 Per Student
A+ Excellent

STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
168 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,733 Per Student
A Very Good

Montrose Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
96 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,915 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Berkeley Terrace Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 787 GROVE STREET, IRVINGTON
👥
443 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$28,458 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cleveland Street Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 07 School
📍 355 CLEVELAND ST, ORANGE
👥
322 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$26,733 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Clinton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 27 BERKSHIRE RD, MAPLEWOOD
👥
572 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,915 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Delia Bolden Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 518 RIDGEWOOD RD, MAPLEWOOD
👥
481 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$30,915 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Edison Middle School

📚 Grade 06 Middle
📍 75 WILLIAM ST, W ORANGE
👥
483 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$33,612 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 1,663 Off-Campus Students
C+
Seton Hall University
9,494 students · 0.9 mi
C
National Career Institute
148 students · 2.2 mi
D
Best Care College
46 students · 2.3 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
1,648 students · 3.1 mi
D
New Community Career & Technical Institute
18 students · 3.4 mi
B
Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Leyma
47 students · 3.5 mi
C+
Healthcare Training Institute
103 students · 3.7 mi
C
Essex County College
6,790 students · 4.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,663 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What monthly rent should investors expect in South Orange, NJ?

Rental rates in South Orange, NJ average $2,977/mo. Tenant demand and $1.1M home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Are eviction rules reasonable in South Orange, NJ?

For rental operators, South Orange, NJ rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Does South Orange, NJ make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in South Orange, NJ reflects its $1.1M prices and $2,977/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NJ.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in South Orange, NJ?

South Orange, NJ vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Can I live-in-and-rent in South Orange, NJ?

The house hack math a tougher in South Orange, NJ. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,977/mo rents and $1.1M home values.

You know 07079 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 07079 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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