3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 085xxPrinceton, NJ area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 085 changed +4.0% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +5.5% for New Jersey and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 08501–08562. Most of its 2010 population lived in Mercer County (36%), Ocean County (20%), Burlington County (12%). Communities in the region include Princeton Meadows, Twin Rivers, Hightstown, Florence, Bordentown. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +4.0%
- 5-year change
- +58.3%
- Since Q1 1995
- +304%
- National rank (1 year)
- 386th
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 085 vs New Jersey and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 085: 404.0
- New Jersey: 420.2
- Lakewood-New Brunswick, NJ metro: 457.5
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 085 | NJ | U.S. | Gap vs NJ | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +4.0% | +5.5% | +3.0% | −1.5 pts | +0.9 pts |
| 3 years | +21.6% | +24.2% | +12.9% | −2.6 pts | +8.7 pts |
| 5 years | +58.3% | +58.3% | +41.3% | −0.0 pts | +17.0 pts |
| 10 years | +92.6% | +99.2% | +93.3% | −6.6 pts | −0.7 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +304% | +320% | +292% | −16.2 pts | +12.5 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 085 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +301% | $1,203,127 |
| Q2 2000 | +226% | $979,102 |
| Q2 2005 | +80.6% | $541,810 |
| Q2 2010 | +96.1% | $588,193 |
| Q2 2015 | +96.0% | $587,879 |
| Q2 2020 | +74.9% | $524,711 |
| Q2 2021 | +58.3% | $474,803 |
| Q2 2023 | +21.6% | $364,652 |
| Q2 2025 | +4.0% | $311,913 |
How ZIP3 085 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 085 ranks 386th of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 19th of 20 in New Jersey. Its one-year change is +0.9 pts versus the nation and −1.5 pts versus New Jersey. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 386th of 882 | 19th of 20 |
| 3 years | 148th of 882 | 20th of 20 |
| 5 years | 67th of 882 | 9th of 20 |
| 10 years | 414th of 882 | 13th of 20 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 295th of 879 | 13th of 20 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 085
ZIP3 085's index peaked in Q1 2006, fell 19.5% to its low in Q2 2012, and regained its peak in Q1 2021, about 15 years after the top. Today it sits +66.6% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 085 | Q1 2006 | Q2 2012 | -19.5% | Q1 2021 (15 yrs) | +66.6% |
| NJ | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -22.1% | Q1 2021 (14 yrs) | +67.8% |
| Metro | Q4 2006 | Q2 2012 | -22.3% | Q4 2020 (14 yrs) | +73.1% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 085's index has changed +82.5% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 085 after inflation | NJ after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | +0.1% | +1.5% | +0.9% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +10.7% | +13.1% | +11.8% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +27.6% | +27.6% | +27.8% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +38.5% | +43.2% | +45.2% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +82.5% | +89.8% | +107% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 085
Regional estimate
$577,873
- Estimated gain
- $277,873
- Index change
- +92.62%
- Start index
- 209.74
- End index
- 404.01
ZIP3 085 (Princeton, NJ area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 086 · Trenton, NJ area | NJ | +4.6% | +65.2% | +271% |
| 089 · New Brunswick, NJ area | NJ | +4.8% | +58.5% | +358% |
| 088 · Perth Amboy, NJ area | NJ | +3.6% | +55.2% | +284% |
| 077 · Long Branch, NJ area | NJ | +5.2% | +56.7% | +378% |
| 087 · Point Pleasant, NJ area | NJ | +5.0% | +64.1% | +427% |
| 189 · Quakertown, PA area | PA | +6.0% | +47.2% | +270% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 404.01 |
| Q1 2026 | 399.40 |
| Q4 2025 | 396.34 |
| Q3 2025 | 396.46 |
| Q2 2025 | 388.58 |
| Q1 2025 | 382.38 |
| Q4 2024 | 372.73 |
| Q3 2024 | 369.19 |
| Q2 2024 | 362.48 |
| Q1 2024 | 358.40 |
| Q4 2023 | 344.36 |
| Q3 2023 | 340.12 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 085?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 085, the regional index changed +4.0% over the year to Q2 2026, +58.3% over five years, +92.6% over ten years, and +304% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 085 appreciating faster than New Jersey and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +4.0% compares with +5.5% for New Jersey and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of +0.9 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is +17.0 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 085?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 085. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 08501 to 08562 (30 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.