Real Estate Investing in Perth Amboy, New Jersey (08861)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 58,264 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08861 (Perth Amboy, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Perth Amboy, NJ (08861)?

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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 $504,489
Avg Monthly Rent $2,361
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,221
% Renters 63.4%

Market Analysis: 08861 Perth Amboy

The 08861 ZIP covers a section of Perth Amboy that demands careful diligence. Prices near $504K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $2,361/mo on a $504K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 08861 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

The gap between 08861 and stronger Perth Amboy ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 08861 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Perth Amboy averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 08861, 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 Perth Amboy:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,361/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 08861

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$133,091/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $380,122 $2,080 3.9% +9.2% $190,061
3BR $473,125 $2,490 3.8% +9.3% $157,708
4BR $532,365 $2,760 3.7% +8.9% $133,091

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$532K$456K$379K$303K$226K$150KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,783$2,663$2,543$2,423$2,303$2,183Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08861 Compare?

Metric 08861 Perth Amboy New Jersey
Home Value $504,489 $504,489 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,361 $2,361 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 08861? Click to expand

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

63% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 08861 (Perth Amboy, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $504,489
Monthly Rent $2,361
Price-to-Rent 17.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -9.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
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
3.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08861

Population: 58,264

💰 Median Household Income
$58,221
This area
$58,221
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
63.4%
This area
63.4%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.9%
This area
14.9%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.0 years
This area
37.0 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 45.7%
Other/Mixed 45.0%
Hispanic/Latino 41.4%
Black/African American 7.5%
Asian 1.8%
👶 Under 18
22.7%
This area
22.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.0%
This area
13.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.6%
This area
16.6%
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 08861

A+ Avg School Grade
14 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$38,413 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Edmund Hmieleski Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Edward J. Patten Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
642 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent
👥
684 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
647 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

James J. Flynn Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
606 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Perth Amboy Magnet School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$29,031 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Samuel E. Shull Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
865 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

William C. McGinnis Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
948 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
633 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Academy for Urban Leadership Charter School

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter
👥
332 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,382 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Rose M. Lopez Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
868 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Perth Amboy High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,685 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$42,071 Per Student
B Good

Middlesex County STEM Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
571 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,594 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 3,269 Off-Campus Students
D
Universal Training Institute
133 students · 0.8 mi
D
DeVry University-New Jersey
74 students · 3.2 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-Iselin
586 students · 3.2 mi
D
PC AGE-Metropark
56 students · 3.9 mi
C
Pro Beauty Academy
100 students · 4.9 mi
C+
Middlesex College
11,471 students · 5.0 mi
C
Yeshiva Gedolah of Cliffwood
55 students · 6.0 mi
C
Torah Temimah Talmudical Seminary
73 students · 6.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,269 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Perth Amboy, NJ?

NJ law tenant-protective for landlords, and Perth Amboy inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Perth Amboy, NJ?

For house hackers, Perth Amboy, NJ is a challenging. The $2,361/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $504K property.

How should investors approach Perth Amboy, NJ?

In Perth Amboy, NJ the impressive play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $504K prices and $2,361/mo rents suits that approach.

What kind of market is Perth Amboy, NJ for investors?

Investors tracking Perth Amboy, NJ will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $504K median home values and $2,361/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

Are renters plentiful in Perth Amboy, NJ?

Perth Amboy, NJ draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $2,361/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 08861 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 08861 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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