The Trenton-Princeton market right now
Sales figures: Redfin Data Center, market tracker (Redfin, a national real estate brokerage), Trenton, NJ metro area, May 2026, all residential property types. Typical value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Zillow Research, August 2026, mid-tier homes, seasonally adjusted. These are area-wide figures, not a value for any one home.
With about 3.4 months of supply, this is a fairly balanced market by the usual rule of thumb, and homes sold at or above their list price on average.
Show the numbers
| Month | Median sale price |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | $485,000 |
| Apr 2026 | $440,000 |
| Mar 2026 | $420,000 |
| Feb 2026 | $475,000 |
| Jan 2026 | $450,000 |
| Dec 2025 | $440,500 |
| Nov 2025 | $450,000 |
| Oct 2025 | $429,500 |
| Sep 2025 | $450,000 |
| Aug 2025 | $476,000 |
| Jul 2025 | $510,000 |
| Jun 2025 | $475,000 |
| May 2025 | $455,000 |
| Apr 2025 | $428,500 |
| Mar 2025 | $399,000 |
| Feb 2025 | $429,454 |
| Jan 2025 | $408,250 |
| Dec 2024 | $447,500 |
| Nov 2024 | $405,000 |
| Oct 2024 | $440,000 |
| Sep 2024 | $420,000 |
| Aug 2024 | $450,000 |
| Jul 2024 | $460,000 |
| Jun 2024 | $489,000 |
| May 2024 | $422,500 |
Source: Redfin Data Center, Trenton, NJ metro area. Monthly figures, not seasonally adjusted, so some ups and downs are just the time of year.
What the metro area covers
The Census Bureau counts about 392,138 people in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area. Property taxes, recording fees and some transfer taxes are set county by county, so check the county your home is in.
| County | Population (2024 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Mercer County, NJ | 392,138 |
Towns with the most ZIP codes in the area: Trenton, Princeton, Hightstown, Hopewell, Pennington, Princeton Junction, Titusville, Windsor, Lawrence Township.
Population and counties: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2023 metro delineations.
New Jersey rules that affect sellers
Transfer tax
New Jersey charges a graduated Realty Transfer Fee on the seller. For sales over $350,000 it runs from $2.90 to $6.05 per $500 (about 0.58% to 1.21%) across price bands, with lower rates for cheaper homes and for qualifying seniors, blind or disabled sellers. Since July 10, 2025 the seller also pays a Graduated Percent Fee of 1% to 3.5% of the full price on residential sales over $1 million.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, Realty Transfer Fee
Seller disclosure
Yes. Since August 1, 2024 (P.L. 2024, c.32), every seller of residential property must complete questions 1 to 108 of the Division of Consumer Affairs' Seller's Property Condition Disclosure Statement before the buyer is bound by a contract. All sellers must also complete the Flood Risk Addendum (questions 109 to 117) under N.J.S.A. 56:8-19.2, and must disclose known material defects even if the form does not ask about them.
Who handles the closing
Attorneys customarily handle closings in North Jersey, while in South Jersey title companies and brokers often close without attorneys. The New Jersey Supreme Court held in 1995 (In re Opinion No. 26) that buyers and sellers may choose to close without a lawyer if they are told of the risks.
Also worth knowing
Sellers who are not New Jersey residents must pay estimated income tax of 2% of the sale price to the Division of Taxation at or before closing (GIT/REP forms), whether or not they have a gain, unless an exemption or waiver applies.
Also worth knowing
Home sale contracts prepared by real estate licensees include a three business day attorney review period, during which an attorney for the buyer or seller can review and cancel the contract.
Source: New Jersey State Bar Ass'n v. New Jersey Ass'n of Realtor Boards, 93 N.J. 470 (1983) (CourtListener)
Also worth knowing
On residential sales over $1 million, the seller pays a Graduated Percent Fee on the full price: 1% up to $2 million, 2% up to $2.5 million, 2.5% up to $3 million, 3% up to $3.5 million and 3.5% above that. Before July 10, 2025 this was a flat 1% paid by the buyer.
Checking an agent's license
Real estate agents in New Jersey are licensed by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (Department of Banking and Insurance). You can look up any agent before you work with them.
New Jersey Real Estate Commission (Department of Banking and Insurance) license lookup
Rules checked 2026-09-30. They change, and local practice varies: confirm with your title company, closing attorney or agent before relying on them. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.