Real Estate Investing in Somerville, New Jersey (08876)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 08876 (Somerville, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Somerville, NJ (08876)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 08876 Somerville
Stepping back, ZIP 08876 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $613K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $613K asset, 08876 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Regionally, 08876 sits on the difficult end of the NJ spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
On the rental side, 22,902 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 08876, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Somerville:
Property Strategy for 08876
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $440,410 | $2,370 | 3.9% | +8.1% | $220,205 |
| 3BR | $563,568 | $2,840 | 3.6% | +9.2% | $187,856 |
| 4BR | $745,132 | $3,140 | 3.0% | +8.6% | $186,283 |
| 5BR | $879,509 | — | — | +8.2% | $175,902 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 08876 Compare?
| Metric | 08876 | Somerville | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $613,196 | $613,196 | $559,826 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.0% | 6.0% | 8.4% |
| Avg Rent | $2,614 | $2,614 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% | 3.3% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 08876 (Somerville, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $613,196 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,614 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.1% |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +0.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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.
Demographics in 08876
Population: 22,902
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 08876
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
John F. Kennedy Primary School
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
Investor Insight: With 1,712 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home value in Somerville, NJ?
Expect median prices around $613K in Somerville, NJ. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.
How deep is the rental pool in Somerville, NJ?
The tenant pool in Somerville, NJ is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,614/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
What investment strategy works best in Somerville, NJ?
Most investors in Somerville, NJ run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
What are vacancy rates like in Somerville, NJ?
Somerville, NJ sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader NJ rental market.
Is Somerville, NJ a good market for FHA house hackers?
Somerville, NJ is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $613K price point reasonable to enter.
You know 08876 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 08876 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
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