New Jersey’s Housing Market Is Heating Up—These Areas Can Give You the Best Return on a Real Estate Investment

New Jersey may be stereotyped from "The Jersey Shore" reality show, and often it's been the butt of jokes, but it's no joke when it comes to owning real estate in the Garden State.

In certain parts of the state, there are hot spots where home prices continue to increase as demand grows. Interest in the area has hit a high in recent months as wealthy New Yorkers began eyeing up homes outside of New York City in anticipation of the mayoral election.

"New Jersey continues to attract buyers who are willing to pay a premium for the lifestyle it offers," Taylor Lucyk, real estate broker with the Taylor Lucyk Group, tells Realtor.com®. "Families are drawn to the area for its top-rated schools and competitive sports programs, which give kids a real advantage."

Lucyk is talking about Bergen County, located right across the Hudson River from New York City. Location is key when it comes to getting the most return out of your investment.

"There are geographical locations along train lines with easy commutes to New Jersey that will yield much higher returns for sellers," Michelle Mumoli, real estate broker and team principal with The Mumoli Collective at Compass, tells Realtor.com. "New Jersey is a large state and the most densely populated state in [the] country, believe it or not."

The population in New Jersey exceeds 9.2 million, according to the U.s. Census Bureau. Bergen County holds the majority of the population, with nearly a million people. The least populated county is farther south in the state—Salem County, with approximately 65,000 people.

"Not every part of the state performs the same," explains Lucyk. "Suburbs with direct access to the major cities tend to see the strongest return, especially places like Bergen County. These areas attract buyers who value top-tier schools, active youth sports, a strong sense of community, and reliable transportation into the city."

Counties such as Union, Essex, Morris, and Passaic attract a commuter crowd looking for easy access to the city, but they're balanced with green space and more home for your money.

In Bergen County, one of the northernmost counties in the state—there were 621 new listings in September 2025, compared to the prior year when there were 694 listings, according to New Jersey Realtors®. But in a one year span, the median sales price rose to $825,000, from $779,995.

That price is nearly double the national median list price of $424,200.

But those prices differ tremendously from Salem County, located in the southern part of the state, which is more rural and agricultural. Median home prices in September 2025 were $290,000, up from $268,500 the prior year.

Location and the condition of the home will work in a seller's favor.

"A large majority of buyers moving from other areas of the country, specifically New York City, are not looking to get into a home that requires work, because frankly, what we see as a property that may have some cosmetic issues, once we do an inspection, it may actually have more than cosmetic issues," explains Mumoli.

Sweet spot for sales

There are many factors that go into deciding how much return you'll get from your real estate investment, all of which will vary depending on when you're selling your home.

Mumoli, who is based out of Jersey City (right across from New York City) and services Northern New Jersey, explains that where a seller will get their highest return on real estate is not the same across the state.

"This is a very varied answer because New Jersey is varied in terms of housing styles and geographical locations," says Mumoli. "We also have to keep in mind comparable sold homes in the past 6 to 12 months in their neighborhood."

Lucyk agrees not every part of the state performs the same.

"Right now, new-construction and move-in-ready properties are selling the quickest," Lucyk adds. "Buyers are leaning toward convenience. They want updated finishes, modern layouts, and the ability to move in without taking on renovations.

"Fixer-uppers still have a market, especially among buyers looking for value or customization, but most people are willing to pay more to skip the work and settle in right away."

This brings us back to the Jersey Shore. Some towns are gaining a reputation for luxury—yes, luxury— and that's attracting new followers.

"What used to be mostly a summer escape has become a year-round destination," says Lucyk. "More people are moving there full time to enjoy coastal living without sacrificing good schools, restaurants, or accessibility. Because of that shift, home prices in many Shore towns have climbed significantly, making them hot spots for both buyers and sellers."

Rocker Bruce Springsteen's stomping ground of Asbury Park will be welcoming new residents when Lido Asbury Park opens in 2027. The luxury building, right on the beach with the Atlantic Ocean waves to listen to, will have 112 luxury units ranging in price from $825,000 for one-bedroom units to over $8 million for multilevel "villas in the sky."

A short drive north of Asbury Park is another shore town of Long Branch. A Miami-inspired condominium complex is being built. The Atlantic Club will have 132 one- to five-bedroom condos—most with direct or partial ocean views. The units start at about $1.3 million and go up to $6 million for the two penthouses.

"The Jersey Shore is also evolving," Lucyk adds. "Overall, New Jersey real estate is strong across the board."