Real Estate Investing in Lawrence Township, New Jersey (08648)

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

Mercer County • Population: 31,142 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08648 (Lawrence Township, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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 Lawrence Township, NJ (08648)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $475,108
Avg Monthly Rent $2,655
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $119,151
% Renters 32.0%

Market Analysis: 08648 Lawrence Township

ZIP 08648 inside Mercer County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $475K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $475K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 08648 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Within NJ, ZIP 08648 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Mercer County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 08648 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

appears to 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 Lawrence Township:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,655/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Trenton-Princeton, NJ Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
41 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 08648

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$157,101/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $344,651 $2,470 5.2% +9.6% $172,326
3BR $471,304 $2,960 4.5% +8.8% $157,101
4BR $662,208 $3,380 3.7% +8.4% $165,552

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$494K$440K$386K$332K$278K$224KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,695$2,585$2,476$2,366$2,256$2,147Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08648 Compare?

Metric 08648 Lawrence Township Trenton-Princeton, NJ New Jersey
Home Value $475,108 $475,108 N/A $559,826
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% N/A 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,655 $2,655 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 08648? 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 08648 (Lawrence Township, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $475,108
Monthly Rent $2,655
Price-to-Rent 14.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.7%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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
5.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08648

Population: 31,142

💰 Median Household Income
$119,151
This area
$119,151
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.0%
This area
32.0%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
59.5%
This area
59.5%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.6 years
This area
39.6 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 62.4%
Asian 14.0%
Black/African American 13.6%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Hispanic/Latino 8.0%
👶 Under 18
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
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 08648

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
10.8:1 Avg Class Size
$28,078 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Ben Franklin Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
349 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lawrence Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
580 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Eldridge Park School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
211 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lawrence Intermediate School

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
801 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lawrenceville Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
298 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Slackwood Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
246 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student
A Very Good

Lawrence High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,206 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,078 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

William L Antheil Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 339 EWINGVILLE ROAD, EWING
👥
730 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$34,529 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Darlene C. McKnight Elementary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 175 GIRARD AVENUE, TRENTON
👥
341 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$29,952 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dr. Crosby Copeland Jr Elementary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 1200 BRUNSWICK AVENUE, TRENTON
👥
319 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$29,952 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 401-411 Brunswick Ave, Trenton
👥
610 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$29,952 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Luis Munoz-Rivera Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 401 North Montgomery St, Trenton
👥
456 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$29,952 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 1,359 Off-Campus Students
C+
Rider University
4,083 students · 0.9 mi
F
Fortis Institute-Lawrenceville
305 students · 1.7 mi
B+
The College of New Jersey
7,652 students · 3.2 mi
C
Mercer County Community College
6,219 students · 4.3 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
153 students · 4.5 mi
C
Capital Health School of Radiologic Technology
15 students · 4.8 mi
C
Capital Health School of Nursing
53 students · 4.8 mi
C
Thomas Edison State University
7,587 students · 5.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,359 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tenants stable in Lawrence Township, NJ?

Working renters make up the core of the Lawrence Township, NJ tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

How does Lawrence Township, NJ rate as a rental market?

Lawrence Township, NJ scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $475K and rents near $2,655/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What is the typical home price in Lawrence Township, NJ?

In Lawrence Township, NJ the median home value sits at $475K. Against the broader NJ market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Lawrence Township, NJ?

House hacking in Lawrence Township, NJ is a challenging. With home values around $475K and rents at $2,655/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Is Lawrence Township, NJ better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Lawrence Township, NJ investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($475K prices, $2,655/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 08648 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 08648 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 08648 ranks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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