Real Estate Investing in Edison, New Jersey (08817)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 47,924 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08817 (Edison, 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 Edison, NJ (08817)?

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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 $568,885
Avg Monthly Rent $2,696
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $105,419
% Renters 46.3%

Market Analysis: 08817 Edison

Investors eyeing 08817 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $569K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Put differently, the numbers look inviting — $569K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 08817 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Looking more closely, 08817 offers a low basis, the region around Edison has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 08817 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 08817, 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 Edison:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,696/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 08817

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+10.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$160,915/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $280,787 $2,040 5.2% +10.3% $280,787
2BR $394,189 $2,560 4.7% +9.5% $197,095
3BR $558,112 $3,070 4.0% +9.6% $186,037
4BR $652,392 $3,390 3.7% +9.4% $163,098
5BR $804,576 +9.8% $160,915

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$604K$530K$456K$382K$308K$233KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,747$2,601$2,455$2,308$2,162$2,016Jun 2022Jul 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08817 Compare?

Metric 08817 Edison New Jersey
Home Value $568,885 $649,105 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.1% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,696 $2,751 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 08817? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 46% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 08817 (Edison, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $568,885
Monthly Rent $2,696
Price-to-Rent 17.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 11.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
4.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08817

Population: 47,924

💰 Median Household Income
$105,419
This area
$105,419
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.3%
This area
46.3%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.8%
This area
47.8%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.4 years
This area
37.4 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Asian 38.8%
White 35.9%
Other/Mixed 14.8%
Hispanic/Latino 10.7%
Black/African American 10.5%
👶 Under 18
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.6%
This area
13.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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 08817

A+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
12.7:1 Avg Class Size
$22,472 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

John Marshall Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
766 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lindeneau Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
490 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
620 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Washington Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lincoln Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
948 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Thomas Jefferson Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
948 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A Very Good

Edison Early Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
72 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Edison High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,336 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Bartle Elementary School

📚 02 – 05 Elementary
📍 435 MANSFIELD STREET, HIGHLAND PARK
👥
433 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$28,740 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Edgar Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
📍 49 BRUNSWICK AVENUE, METUCHEN
👥
769 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$23,917 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Highland Park Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 330 WAYNE STREET, HIGHLAND PARK
👥
346 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,740 Per Student
A+ Excellent

James Monroe Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 7 Sharp Rd, Edison
👥
523 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Metuchen High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 400 GROVE AVE, METUCHEN
👥
698 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,917 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 5,698 Off-Campus Students
C
Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
96 students · 1.0 mi
C+
Middlesex College
11,471 students · 1.6 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield
324 students · 2.8 mi
B+
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
50,617 students · 3.0 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
247 students · 3.0 mi
D
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
131 students · 3.1 mi
C+
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education
397 students · 3.9 mi
D
Chamberlain University-New Jersey
1,316 students · 4.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,698 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 Edison, NJ?

Edison, NJ rentals go for roughly $2,696/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $569K acquisition costs.

What is the best play in Edison, NJ?

The best-fit strategy in Edison, NJ is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How strong is Edison, NJ for real estate investors?

Investors tracking Edison, NJ will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $569K median home values and $2,696/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

Are there empty rentals in Edison, NJ?

Vacancy risk in Edison, NJ is elevated. That supports predictable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is Edison, NJ good for house hacking?

Edison, NJ is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $569K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 08817 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 08817 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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