The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 08226 sells for about $1,250,000, or $785 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,683 a month.
ZIP 08226 — Ocean City
The 08226 housing market remains robust, characterized by high price points and strong demand for coastal properties despite broader national cooling trends. Inventory remains tight, and the market is heavily influenced by the seasonal nature of the Ocean City real estate landscape. Prices have shown resilience, supported by limited supply and the ongoing transition toward higher-value, modern residential builds.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent retirees, second-home buyers, and investors seeking high-end coastal real estate, though it remains challenging for year-round families due to high costs.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
18% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.2% · poverty 9.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 11.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 08226, Cape May County NJ
Ocean City generally reports low crime rates, consistently ranking as one of the safer coastal communities in New Jersey compared to regional averages.
The Ocean City School District is highly regarded, with schools consistently receiving strong performance ratings and high marks for college readiness.
The area faces significant coastal flood and storm surge risks, necessitating mandatory flood insurance for many properties and influencing local building codes.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by seasonal tourism and the ongoing redevelopment of aging coastal residential stock into modern, high-value properties.
Property taxes are levied by the municipality, county, and school district; New Jersey maintains one of the highest effective property tax rates in the nation.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling via the Garden State Parkway toward employment hubs in Atlantic City or mainland Cape May County.
The area features an iconic boardwalk, extensive public beaches, multiple marinas, and proximity to championship golf courses and local shopping districts.
The rental market is heavily skewed toward seasonal and short-term vacation rentals, creating high demand during summer months and limited year-round inventory.
The local economy is anchored by the tourism and hospitality sectors, with significant support from retail and seasonal service industries.
Development is largely focused on the replacement of older residential structures with new, elevated luxury homes to meet modern flood standards.
Parcels are subject to municipal, county, and Ocean City School District taxes, with additional assessments for local utility authorities.
Property insurance premiums are high due to coastal hazard exposure, with many properties requiring specialized flood and wind coverage.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A historic 2.5-mile boardwalk featuring amusement parks, dining, and shopping.
Extensive public beach access serving as the primary local attraction.
A protected coastal area offering hiking trails and bird watching.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.