2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in New Jersey — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

726 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 08638 (Trenton, NJ) - 73/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 726 ZIP codes with data in New Jersey, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All New Jersey Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 726
Highest value 73/100
Median value 40/100
State New Jersey

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 08638 Trenton NJ 73/100 45/100
2 08850 Milltown NJ 73/100 56/100
3 08401 Atlantic City NJ 72/100 74/100
4 08530 Lambertville NJ 72/100 54/100
5 08618 Trenton NJ 72/100 45/100
6 08882 South River NJ 72/100 47/100
7 07035 Lincoln Park NJ 71/100 36/100
8 08064 New Lisbon NJ 71/100 75/100
9 07734 Keansburg NJ 69/100 46/100
10 08559 Stockton NJ 69/100 51/100
11 07109 Belleville NJ 68/100 59/100
12 07719 Belmar NJ 67/100 54/100
13 08240 Pomona NJ 67/100 82/100
14 07663 Saddle Brook NJ 66/100 60/100
15 07732 Highlands NJ 66/100 36/100
16 07844 Hope NJ 66/100 62/100
17 07032 Kearny NJ 65/100 64/100
18 08723 Brick NJ 65/100 49/100
19 08724 Brick NJ 65/100 54/100
20 07830 Califon NJ 64/100 35/100
21 08619 Trenton NJ 64/100 45/100
22 08865 Phillipsburg NJ 64/100 51/100
23 07801 Dover NJ 63/100 47/100
24 08611 Trenton NJ 63/100 55/100
25 07003 Bloomfield NJ 62/100 64/100
26 07110 Nutley NJ 62/100 59/100
27 07832 Columbia NJ 62/100 52/100
28 08525 Hopewell NJ 62/100 60/100
29 07114 Newark NJ 61/100 72/100
30 07442 Pompton Lakes NJ 61/100 50/100
31 07444 Pompton Plains NJ 61/100 42/100
32 07506 Hawthorne NJ 61/100 67/100
33 07849 Lake Hopatcong NJ 61/100 35/100
34 07926 Brookside NJ 61/100 53/100
35 08560 Titusville NJ 61/100 57/100
36 08609 Trenton NJ 61/100 55/100
37 07057 Wallington NJ 60/100 55/100
38 07505 Paterson NJ 60/100 52/100
39 08203 Brigantine NJ 60/100 71/100
40 08311 Cedarville NJ 60/100 75/100
41 08561 Windsor NJ 60/100 53/100
42 08608 Trenton NJ 60/100 60/100
43 07005 Boonton NJ 59/100 59/100
44 07435 Newfoundland NJ 59/100 49/100
45 08628 Trenton NJ 59/100 50/100
46 08629 Trenton NJ 59/100 55/100
47 08730 Brielle NJ 59/100 51/100
48 07011 Clifton NJ 58/100 72/100
49 07050 Orange NJ 58/100 67/100
50 07460 Stockholm NJ 58/100 58/100
51 07461 Sussex NJ 58/100 48/100
52 07524 Paterson NJ 58/100 47/100
53 07833 Delaware NJ 58/100 53/100
54 07976 New Vernon NJ 58/100 68/100
55 07977 Peapack NJ 58/100 53/100
56 07014 Clifton NJ 57/100 77/100
57 08204 Cape May NJ 57/100 73/100
58 07105 Newark NJ 56/100 72/100
59 07405 Butler NJ 56/100 46/100
60 07450 Ridgewood NJ 56/100 51/100
61 07723 Deal NJ 56/100 40/100
62 08092 West Creek NJ 56/100 66/100
63 08104 Camden NJ 56/100 65/100
64 08318 Elmer NJ 56/100 69/100
65 08321 Fortescue NJ 56/100 73/100
66 08345 Newport NJ 56/100 50/100
67 07054 Parsippany NJ 55/100 56/100
68 07826 Branchville NJ 55/100 57/100
69 07881 Wallpack Center NJ 55/100 63/100
70 08302 Bridgeton NJ 55/100 48/100
71 08360 Vineland NJ 55/100 65/100
72 08602 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
73 08603 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
74 08604 Trenton NJ 55/100 60/100
75 08605 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
76 08606 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
77 08607 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
78 08610 Trenton NJ 55/100 55/100
79 08625 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
80 08644 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
81 08645 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
82 08646 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
83 08647 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
84 08650 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
85 08666 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
86 08695 Trenton NJ 55/100 54/100
87 08872 Sayreville NJ 55/100 63/100
88 08890 Zarephath NJ 55/100 45/100
89 07004 Fairfield NJ 54/100 59/100
90 07044 Verona NJ 54/100 60/100
91 07465 Wanaque NJ 54/100 75/100
92 07711 Allenhurst NJ 54/100 40/100
93 07756 Ocean Grove NJ 54/100 40/100
94 07828 Budd Lake NJ 54/100 50/100
95 07850 Landing NJ 54/100 43/100
96 07960 Morristown NJ 54/100 27/100
97 08014 Bridgeport NJ 54/100 55/100
98 08093 Westville NJ 54/100 72/100
99 08731 Forked River NJ 54/100 74/100
100 08805 Bound Brook NJ 54/100 50/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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