Real Estate Investing in South Plainfield, New Jersey (07080)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 24,215 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 07080 (South Plainfield, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

What’s happening in South Plainfield, NJ (07080)?

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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 $598,708
Avg Monthly Rent $2,677
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $123,516
% Renters 14.6%

Market Analysis: 07080 South Plainfield

The 07080 ZIP covers a section of South Plainfield that demands careful diligence. Prices near $599K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 07080 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, 07080 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 07080 ZIP's population of 24,215 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 07080, 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 Plainfield:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,677/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 07080

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$165,615/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $450,037 $2,590 4.1% +7.8% $225,018
3BR $569,992 $3,110 3.9% +9.6% $189,997
4BR $662,459 $3,430 3.7% +9.2% $165,615

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$625K$551K$477K$404K$330K$257KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,825$2,701$2,577$2,452$2,328$2,204Apr 2022Jun 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 07080 Compare?

Metric 07080 South Plainfield New Jersey
Home Value $598,708 $598,708 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,677 $2,677 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 07080? 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 →
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 07080 (South Plainfield, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $598,708
Monthly Rent $2,677
Price-to-Rent 18.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
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
3.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 07080

Population: 24,215

💰 Median Household Income
$123,516
This area
$123,516
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
43.0%
This area
43.0%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.8 years
This area
41.8 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 55.2%
Asian 17.0%
Other/Mixed 16.0%
Hispanic/Latino 12.9%
Black/African American 11.7%
👶 Under 18
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
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 07080

A+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
11.9:1 Avg Class Size
$25,146 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Grant Elementary School

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
543 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
A+ Excellent

John E. Riley Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
364 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Roosevelt Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
475 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
A+ Excellent

South Plainfield Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
503 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Franklin Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
264 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
A+ Excellent

John F Kennedy Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
259 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
A+ Excellent

South Plainfield High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,091 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student
B+ Above Average

John E. Riley Preschool Annex

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
153 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$25,146 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

East End School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 170 Oneida Avenue, North Plainfield
👥
476 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$26,094 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Evergreen Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1033 EVERGREEN AVE, PLAINFIELD
👥
423 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,066 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Jefferson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1700 W. FRONT ST, PLAINFIELD
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$30,066 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Plainfield Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 34 Wilson Avenue, North Plainfield
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,094 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 1700 West Front St, PLAINFIELD
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
8.4:1 Class Size
💰
$30,066 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
C+
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education
397 students · 1.5 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield
324 students · 1.7 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
247 students · 1.8 mi
D
JFK Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools
572 students · 2.2 mi
C
Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch
70 students · 3.3 mi
C+
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield
160 students · 3.4 mi
F
Strayer University-New Jersey
602 students · 3.4 mi
C
Pro Beauty Academy
100 students · 4.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in South Plainfield, NJ a good investment right now?

South Plainfield, NJ rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $599K and rents near $2,677/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is the tenant base reliable in South Plainfield, NJ?

Tenant demand in South Plainfield, NJ is solid. The local workforce $2,677/mo rents across most rental classes.

How much do tenants pay in South Plainfield, NJ?

Rent in South Plainfield, NJ is around $2,677/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $599K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Is South Plainfield, NJ a friendly market for rental owners?

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

What type of investing works in South Plainfield, NJ?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in South Plainfield, NJ. With home values at $599K and rents near $2,677/mo, other strategies can work but produce measured rather than outsized returns.

You know 07080 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 07080 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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