NJ Market Dashboard
Essex County
Last updated: April 2026
Median Sale Price
$684K
Days on Market
36 days
Active Listings
2,191
Sale vs. Ask Price
107.07%
Median Sale Price Trend
12-month rolling median — Essex County
Days on Market
Green = below average (faster sales)
Inventory Levels
Active vs. new listings — monthly
Price Per Sqft by City
Ranked highest to lowest — Apr 2026
Sale vs. Ask Price
Above 100% = homes sold for more than asking price
Market Health Score
Composite of price momentum, inventory tightness, and demand strength
Zillow 12-Month Forecast
Projected home value change · Zillow Research
+1.2%
Modest growth expected. The market is stabilizing — a reasonable window for both buyers and sellers.
Price Per Sqft by City
Ranked by price per square foot. County average: $360/sqft. Click column headers to re-sort.
| City↕ | Price / Sqft↓ | vs. County Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Montclair | $552 | +53.3% |
| Nutley | $434 | +20.6% |
| East Orange | $248 | -31.1% |
| Newark | $225 | -37.5% |
What This Means For You
Data-driven takeaways for buyers, sellers, and investors in Essex County right now.
For Buyers
Favorable- →With a market health score of 38/100, this is a buyer's market — you have negotiating power that wasn't available in 2021–2023.
- →Homes are selling 36.8% faster than last year. Act quickly — well-priced listings won't last.
- →Homes still sell above asking at 107.07% — so expect competition on move-in-ready, well-priced properties. Budget for at least asking price on desirable listings.
For Sellers
Price Carefully- →Median prices are up 0.6% year-over-year. The market is rewarding sellers who price with the trend, not against it.
- →Homes priced correctly are selling at 107.07% of list price — above asking. This only happens when you price strategically, not aspirationally.
- →In a buyer's market, presentation is non-negotiable. Declutter, stage the main living areas, and address any obvious deferred maintenance before listing.
- →Spring (March–May) typically brings peak buyer traffic in this county. List prepared, not rushed.
For Investors
Monitor- →With prices up 0.6% year-over-year, Essex County continues to build equity for existing owners. Entry-level and value-add properties offer the best basis.
- →Affordability is a constraint at the premium price point — focus on small multifamily or lower-priced municipalities within the county for better cap rate potential.
- →DOM of 36 days means motivated sellers are out there. Off-market outreach and patient deal sourcing can yield below-market acquisitions.
From the Blog
Essex County Real Estate in 2026: NJ's Strongest Appreciation Story
Essex County leads NJ with 8.1% year-over-year price growth, and homes are still selling 3% above asking. Here's what the data says for buyers and sellers.
Read →Buyer & Seller TipsBest NJ Towns to Live In With a Great NYC Commute (2026)
You don't have to choose between a good commute and a real home. These NJ towns give you door-to-desk times under 60 minutes, real neighborhoods, and prices that make sense — depending on what you're after.
Read →Buyer & Seller TipsSpring Planting & Landscaping Tips for NJ Homeowners (2026)
The right plants at the right time can add real curb appeal — and real value. Here's what to plant in May, what to fix before you list, and the low-effort moves that make NJ buyers stop at the curb.
Read →Explore Nearby Counties
Ready to act on this data?
Get a personalized market analysis for your specific property or search criteria in Essex County.