Real Estate Investing in Trenton, New Jersey (08691)

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

Mercer County • Population: 16,924 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08691 (Trenton, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

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

📈 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 Trenton, NJ (08691)?

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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 $649,449
Avg Monthly Rent $2,519
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $126,628
% Renters 20.3%

Market Analysis: 08691 Trenton

Investors eyeing 08691 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $649K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Rent of $2,519/mo on a $649K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 08691 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 08691 among NJ's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 08691 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Trenton averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

New investors are better served looking at Trenton's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 08691. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Trenton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,519/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 08691

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$197,948/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $395,897 $2,480 4.5% +10.2% $197,948
3BR $647,363 $2,980 3.3% +9.6% $215,788
4BR $924,254 $3,400 2.6% +10.1% $231,064
5BR $1,069,507 +10.4% $213,901

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$675K$612K$549K$486K$423K$359KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,888$2,755$2,623$2,490$2,358$2,226Jan 2025Oct 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08691 Compare?

Metric 08691 Trenton Trenton-Princeton, NJ New Jersey
Home Value $649,449 $335,223 N/A $559,826
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 8.2% N/A 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,519 $2,018 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 4.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 08691? 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 08691 (Trenton, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $649,449
Monthly Rent $2,519
Price-to-Rent 21.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 10.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
4.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08691

Population: 16,924

💰 Median Household Income
$126,628
This area
$126,628
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.3%
This area
20.3%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
62.2%
This area
62.2%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.6 years
This area
44.6 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 65.4%
Asian 25.1%
Other/Mixed 5.6%
Black/African American 4.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.5%
👶 Under 18
24.5%
This area
24.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
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 08691

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$22,012 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Pond Road Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
967 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,506 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Richard C Crockett Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
843 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,530 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Sharon School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
983 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,506 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Robbinsville High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,034 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,506 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 1,237 Off-Campus Students
C
Mercer County Community College
6,219 students · 4.1 mi
F
Fortis Institute-Lawrenceville
305 students · 7.3 mi
C
Capital Health School of Nursing
53 students · 7.5 mi
C
Capital Health School of Radiologic Technology
15 students · 7.5 mi
C+
Rider University
4,083 students · 8.7 mi
C
Thomas Edison State University
7,587 students · 9.0 mi
C
Princeton Theological Seminary
287 students · 10.1 mi
A
Princeton University
8,922 students · 10.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,237 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it like being a landlord in Trenton, NJ?

Trenton, NJ operates under NJ law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the renter demographic in Trenton, NJ?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Trenton, NJ. The rental market absorbs $2,519/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What are home prices like in Trenton, NJ?

Expect median prices around $649K in Trenton, NJ. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Trenton, NJ?

House hacking in Trenton, NJ is reasonable to execute. Prices around $649K and rents of $2,519/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What is the investability score for Trenton, NJ?

Trenton, NJ rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $649K and rents near $2,519/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 08691 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 08691 ranks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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