Cape May County presents a high-entry-price, low-current-yield tension: Zillow reports a median home value of $804,637, versus $2,179 median monthly asking rent and a supplied 3.25% gross yield before costs. Investors needing current cash flow warrant caution; those investigating specific properties need to test whether durable rent can support the entry basis and carrying costs. This is a county-level screen, not evidence for a neighborhood or building.
Zillow’s 2026-06 value change was 7.95%. FHFA’s 2025 repeat-transaction HPI increased 3.94% annually; both measures point upward, but FHFA is an index rather than a dollar home value, and its method and labeled period cannot be blended with Zillow’s. The effective property-tax rate is 1.22%, and median annual tax is $5,306, a stated carrying cost against the gross yield. HUD two-bedroom FMR is a payment standard, not market asking rent, and cannot replace the published rent or establish yield.
Realtor.com’s MLS listing-market evidence reports a 65-day median marketing time, with active listings measuring visible supply and price reductions signaling seller concessions. These are asking-market measures, not closed-sale prices or standalone proof of buyer demand. Investor mortgages were 340 of 1,985 purchases, or 17.13%, indicating non-owner participation but not price paid or targeted property type. Tax-return migration was negative by 102 households, although incoming movers’ average AGI exceeded outgoing movers’ by $14,869. This mix calls for buyer and tenant segmentation, not a countywide demand conclusion.
Modeled climate loss equals 0.25% of building value per year, while inland flood is the named dominant hazard. Parcel flood exposure, elevation, mitigation and insurance quotes are needed before translating that county model into property costs. QCEW identifies leisure and hospitality as the largest disclosed private supersector; QCEW is annual covered employment at county workplaces, not resident employment, unemployment or a forecast. Missing operating expenses, vacancy, lease terms, seasonal rent evidence, building condition and sale comparables prevent a net-yield, debt-service or exit-price conclusion.