Real Estate Investing in Middlesex, New Jersey (08846)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 14,518 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08846 (Middlesex, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

What’s happening in Middlesex, NJ (08846)?

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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 $557,290
Avg Monthly Rent $2,699
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $101,868
% Renters 24.8%

Market Analysis: 08846 Middlesex

Put differently, ZIP 08846 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $557K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $2,699/mo on a $557K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 08846 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 08846's metrics run below Middlesex County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 08846 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 08846 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Middlesex:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,699/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 08846

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$152,867/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $388,409 $2,210 4.1% +10.1% $194,205
3BR $525,816 $2,650 3.6% +9.9% $175,272
4BR $611,468 $2,930 3.5% $152,867

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$583K$511K$440K$369K$297K$226KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,754$2,689$2,624$2,559$2,494$2,429Apr 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08846 Compare?

Metric 08846 Middlesex New Jersey
Home Value $557,290 $557,290 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,699 $2,699 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 08846? 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 08846 (Middlesex, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $557,290
Monthly Rent $2,699
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
3.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08846

Population: 14,518

💰 Median Household Income
$101,868
This area
$101,868
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.8%
This area
24.8%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
35.4%
This area
35.4%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.7 years
This area
44.7 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 61.4%
Other/Mixed 21.3%
Hispanic/Latino 17.0%
Asian 10.7%
Black/African American 6.6%
👶 Under 18
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
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 08846

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$25,328 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Middlesex High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
614 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$25,328 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Von E. Mauger Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
502 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,328 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hazelwood Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,328 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Watchung Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
210 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,328 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Parker Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
181 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,328 Per Student
A Very Good

Woodland Intermediate School

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,328 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Conackamack Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 5205 WITHERSPOON STREET, PISCATAWAY
👥
455 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dunellen High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 411 First Street, DUNELLEN
👥
400 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$30,034 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Grandview Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 130 NORTH RANDOLPHVILLE RD, PISCATAWAY
👥
600 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Green Brook Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
📍 132 Jefferson Avenue, Green Brook
👥
321 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$41,454 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 105 Andrew Street, Green Brook
👥
404 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$41,454 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
F
Strayer University-New Jersey
602 students · 1.9 mi
D
American Institute-Somerset
274 students · 2.8 mi
C+
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education
397 students · 3.5 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
247 students · 4.2 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield
324 students · 4.5 mi
C
Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch
70 students · 4.7 mi
C+
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield
160 students · 5.1 mi
D
JFK Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools
572 students · 5.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Middlesex, NJ?

Middlesex, NJ rentals go for roughly $2,699/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $557K acquisition costs.

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

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

Is Middlesex in NJ worth investing in?

Our data puts Middlesex, NJ at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $557K and rents around $2,699/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

What is the best play in Middlesex, NJ?

Middlesex, NJ investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($557K prices, $2,699/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What is the typical home price in Middlesex, NJ?

In Middlesex, NJ the median home value sits at $557K. Against the broader NJ market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

You know 08846 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 08846 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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