East Orange, NJ Real Estate Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Renters

East Orange is an Essex County city of about 3.9 square miles, set between Newark and the Oranges, with 69,612 residents in the 2020 Census. Two NJ Transit train stations, direct access to the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 280, and a large new mixed-use development at Brick Church Station make it a city worth a close look whether you plan to buy, sell, rent or invest. Here's what to know before you make a move in East Orange.

Why People Choose East Orange

Location is the first draw. East Orange borders Newark, so downtown Newark, Newark Penn Station and the airport corridor are close, and the city's rail stations connect straight into Manhattan. The Garden State Parkway and I-280 both run through town, which keeps most of North and Central Jersey within reach by car.

The second draw is change around the train stations. At Brick Church Station, developers Triangle Equities and Incline Capital are building The Crossings at Brick Church Station at 533 Main Street. The first phase brings roughly 400 apartments and retail space anchored by a ShopRite supermarket, and a second phase calls for a nine-story building with 420 more apartments plus retail, restaurant, office and medical space. Together, the project is planned at about 820 mixed-income apartments with structured parking.

Getting Around: Commuting from East Orange

• Train: NJ Transit's Morris & Essex Lines stop at two stations in the city: Brick Church on Main Street and East Orange at 65 City Hall Plaza, across from City Hall. Midtown Direct trains on this line run to New York Penn Station, and other trains run to Hoboken.
• Station parking: Both stations have commuter parking lots, with daily and monthly permit options. East Orange station is listed by NJ Transit as accessible and has bike racks.
• Bus: NJ Transit bus routes run through the city, linking East Orange with Newark and surrounding Essex County towns.
• Car: The Garden State Parkway has interchanges in East Orange, and I-280 crosses the city from Orange toward Newark. Central Avenue, South Orange Avenue and Grove Street are the main county roads.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

East Orange is a renter-heavy city. Census figures show that about 31 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied, so most households rent. That shapes the housing mix:

• Apartment buildings: Established apartment buildings across the city, plus the newer rental construction near Brick Church Station.
• Two-to-four family homes: Multi-unit houses are a common way to own in East Orange, either as a home with rental income or as an investment.
• Single-family homes: Detached houses are part of the mix in the city's residential sections.
• Condominiums: Condo units give buyers another path to ownership.

The city also has a listed historic district: the Central Avenue Commercial Historic District, covering 560 to 654 Central Avenue, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Buying a Home in East Orange

East Orange offers several ways in: a condo, a single-family house or a two-to-four family home. A few things we help buyers check:

• Two-to-four family homes and FHA: An FHA loan lets you buy a two-to-four family property with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units. Rent from the other units can help carry the mortgage.
• Rent control: East Orange has a rent control ordinance (Chapter 218 of the City Code), administered by the city's Division of Rent Leveling. The ordinance exempts dwellings with three or fewer units, so buildings with four or more units generally fall under it. If you're buying a four-family or larger, we'll help you review the rent roll and what the ordinance means for future increases.
• Older-home inspections: For older homes, a thorough inspection of the roof, heating, electrical and plumbing is a must, and lead paint is worth asking about in older homes.
• Condo association review: We look at monthly fees, reserves, rental rules and any planned special assessments before you commit.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.
• Flood maps: We check FEMA flood maps and insurance requirements for any property before you make an offer.

Need financing? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

Selling Your East Orange Home

Sellers in East Orange market to a wide pool: owner-occupant buyers using FHA financing, commuters looking near the train, and investors looking at rental income. A two-family is often weighed on its rents, a four-family on its rents and rent control status, and a single-family on its condition and location. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis using recent sales of homes like yours, then market your property across the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in East Orange

With most households renting and new apartments coming online at Brick Church Station, East Orange has a deep rental market. We help renters compare buildings and commutes, and we help landlords price, market and screen tenants. Landlords of buildings with four or more units should keep rent rolls current with the Division of Rent Leveling, which reviews registrations at City Hall. For investors, we'll go through realistic rents, taxes, insurance, rent control rules and condition with you before you buy, so the numbers work from day one.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Brick Church and East Orange train stations, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• The Crossings at Brick Church Station, with new apartments and a ShopRite
• Central Avenue Commercial Historic District
• Ambrose-Ward Mansion on South Harrison Street, a National Register landmark
• Ampere Station at Ampere Plaza, a National Register landmark
• Watsessing Park, a 69-acre Essex County park shared with Bloomfield, with ball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds and a bandstand
• East Orange VA Medical Center on Tremont Avenue
• CareWell Health Medical Center on Central Avenue
• East Orange Public Library
• Public schools: East Orange School District, including East Orange Campus High School

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing East Orange with nearby towns? Read our guides to Orange, Newark, Bloomfield and Glen Ridge, or browse all of our North Jersey town guides.

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about East Orange.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.