Real Estate Investing in Highland Park, New Jersey (08904)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 14,981 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08904 (Highland Park, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (56/100)

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 Highland Park, NJ (08904)?

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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 $601,053
Avg Monthly Rent $2,393
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $93,927
% Renters 61.6%

Market Analysis: 08904 Highland Park

The 08904 ZIP covers a section of Highland Park that demands careful diligence. Prices near $601K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $2,393/mo on a $601K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 08904 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 08904 sits on the difficult end of the NJ spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 08904 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Highland Park:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,393/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$626K$558K$490K$422K$354K$286KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,464$2,434$2,403$2,373$2,342$2,312Dec 2025Apr 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08904 Compare?

Metric 08904 Highland Park New Jersey
Home Value $601,053 $601,053 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,393 $2,393 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 08904? Click to expand

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

62% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 08904 (Highland Park, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $601,053
Monthly Rent $2,393
Price-to-Rent 20.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
5.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08904

Population: 14,981

💰 Median Household Income
$93,927
This area
$93,927
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
61.6%
This area
61.6%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
70.2%
This area
70.2%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.3 years
This area
34.3 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 59.4%
Asian 21.8%
Other/Mixed 11.9%
Hispanic/Latino 8.9%
Black/African American 6.9%
👶 Under 18
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.6%
This area
11.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.5%
This area
6.5%
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 08904

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
10.3:1 Avg Class Size
$28,740 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Bartle Elementary School

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

Highland Park Middle School

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

Irving Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,740 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Highland Park High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
518 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$28,740 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

A Chester Redshaw School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 216 Livingston Avenue, NEW BRUNSWICK
👥
736 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$29,003 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Blanquita B. Valenti Community School

📚 K – 08 School
📍 50 Jersey Ave, New Brunswick
👥
760 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$29,003 Per Student
A+ Excellent

John Marshall Elementary School

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

Lincoln Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 66 BARTLETT STREET, NEW BRUNSWICK
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
7.7:1 Class Size
💰
$29,003 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lindeneau Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 50 BLOSSOM STREET, EDISON
👥
490 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,472 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
B+
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
50,617 students · 1.0 mi
D
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
131 students · 1.1 mi
C
Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
96 students · 1.6 mi
D
Chamberlain University-New Jersey
1,316 students · 2.5 mi
C+
Middlesex College
11,471 students · 3.3 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
247 students · 3.5 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield
324 students · 3.5 mi
C+
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education
397 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 are home prices like in Highland Park, NJ?

Typical homes in Highland Park, NJ go for around $601K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

Where do rents currently stand in Highland Park, NJ?

Rents in Highland Park, NJ run near $2,393/mo. Compared with median home prices of $601K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Are tenants stable in Highland Park, NJ?

The renter base in Highland Park, NJ is reasonable for the $2,393/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

Are landlord laws favorable in Highland Park, NJ?

NJ ranks as a tenant-protective state for landlord-tenant law. Highland Park generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is house hacking profitable in Highland Park, NJ?

House hacking in Highland Park, NJ is a challenging. With home values around $601K and rents at $2,393/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

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