Real Estate Investing in Piscataway, New Jersey (08854)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 60,405 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08854 (Piscataway, 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 Piscataway, NJ (08854)?

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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 $604,961
Avg Monthly Rent $2,625
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $123,236
% Renters 34.2%

Market Analysis: 08854 Piscataway

Investors eyeing 08854 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $605K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 08854 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 08854'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.

The 08854 ZIP's population of 60,405 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 08854 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Piscataway:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,625/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 08854

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$157,928/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $440,616 $2,660 4.3% +9.0% $220,308
3BR $568,420 $3,190 4.0% +9.1% $189,473
4BR $696,823 $3,530 3.6% +9.3% $174,206
5BR $789,638 +9.5% $157,928

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$631K$556K$481K$406K$331K$256KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,809$2,587$2,366$2,144$1,923$1,702Nov 2018Sep 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08854 Compare?

Metric 08854 Piscataway New Jersey
Home Value $604,961 $604,961 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,625 $2,625 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 08854? 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 08854 (Piscataway, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $604,961
Monthly Rent $2,625
Price-to-Rent 19.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +0.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
3.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08854

Population: 60,405

💰 Median Household Income
$123,236
This area
$123,236
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.2%
This area
34.2%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
49.4%
This area
49.4%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.8 years
This area
33.8 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 33.5%
Asian 32.8%
Black/African American 20.2%
Other/Mixed 13.5%
Hispanic/Latino 10.8%
👶 Under 18
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.6%
This area
11.6%
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 08854

B+ Avg School Grade
17 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$24,571 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Conackamack Middle School

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

Grandview Elementary School

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

Piscataway Magnet School

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
640 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$29,031 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Theodore Schor Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
551 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Arbor Elementary School

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
524 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Knollwood Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
467 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Martin Luther King Elementary School

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
491 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Quibbletown Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
482 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A Very Good

Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
504 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
A Very Good

Randolphville Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
480 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Piscataway Township High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,127 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$24,165 Per Student
B+ Above Average
👥
607 Students
💰
$24,165 Per Student
B Good

Bright Beginnings Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
123 Students
👨‍🏫
1.2:1 Class Size
C+ Average

NuView Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
51 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
C Below Average

Future Foundations Academy (FFA)

📚 05 – 12 High School
👥
122 Students
C Below Average

UMDNJ - CTR

📚 01 – 05 Elementary Limited Data
D Needs Improvement

Piscataway Regional Day School

📚 01 – 12 K-12
👥
122 Students
👨‍🏫
30.5:1 Class Size
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 2,429 Off-Campus Students
F
Strayer University-New Jersey
602 students · 0.8 mi
C+
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education
397 students · 1.7 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
247 students · 2.0 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield
324 students · 2.3 mi
D
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
131 students · 3.2 mi
B+
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
50,617 students · 3.4 mi
D
American Institute-Somerset
274 students · 4.2 mi
C
Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
96 students · 4.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,429 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Piscataway, NJ for real estate investors?

Piscataway, NJ scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $605K and rents near $2,625/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Are homes affordable in Piscataway, NJ?

Piscataway, NJ median home values land near $605K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,625/mo-per-month rentals.

How strong are rents in Piscataway, NJ?

The typical rental in Piscataway, NJ commands about $2,625/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $605K purchase basis.

Are renters plentiful in Piscataway, NJ?

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

How high is vacancy risk in Piscataway, NJ?

Piscataway, NJ carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $2,625/mo.

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How 08854 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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