In Forked River, a typical home is worth $437,000 and typical rent is $2,170 a month. Compared with all of Ocean County, typical rent is 24% higher, the typical home value is 10% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 11 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $366,811 to $513,121.
Typical rent
$2,800a month
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Forked River is in Ocean County. The FHA loan limit ($1,249,125 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Ocean County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Holiday City-Berkeley, the typical home value is $266,200: 39% less than in Forked River ($437,000).
2
Nearby, in Holiday City-Berkeley, the typical rent is $1,640: 24% less than in Forked River ($2,170).
3
The typical rent in Forked River is $2,170 a month, 24% more than in Ocean County as a whole ($1,755).
4
92% of households in Forked River own their home, against 81% in Ocean County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Forked River
What homes there are in Forked River, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
United States
Kind of home: Forked River and its comparisons
Measure
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
United States
Detached house
98%
74%
53%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
10%
10%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
5%
15%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
8%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Forked River: 98% of homes, more than in Ocean County (74%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
United States
Year built: Forked River and its comparisons
Measure
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
United States
Before 1960
11%
16%
38%
26%
1960–1979
35%
32%
25%
24%
1980–1999
40%
28%
21%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
13%
9%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
11%
7%
11%
The typical year built in Forked River is 1981, about the same as in Ocean County (1981).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K15%
$300K–$500K42%
$500K–$750K29%
$750K–$1M5%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Forked River and its comparisons
Measure
Forked River
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
15%
$300K–$500K
42%
$500K–$750K
29%
$750K–$1M
5%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Forked River and its comparisons
Measure
Forked River
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$2,281 a month
Ocean County: $2,330 a month
Without a mortgage
$1,249 a month
Ocean County: $920 a month
Owners with a mortgage
57%
Ocean County: 59%
Owning costs about the same in Forked River as in Ocean County: with a mortgage, $2,281 a month; without one, $1,249.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Forked River+52%
Ocean County+43%
New Jersey+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Forked River+50%
Ocean County+23%
New Jersey+29%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Forked RiverNo clear change
Ocean County+27%
New Jersey+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Forked River and its comparisons
Measure
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
United States
Typical home value
+52%
+43%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+50%
+23%
+29%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+27%
+26%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Forked River rose 52%; in Ocean County, it rose 43%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Forked River rose 50%, more than in Ocean County (23%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Forked River and its comparisons
Measure
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.1%
3.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.3%
4.0%
3.4%
People per household
2.39
2.65
2.62
2.53
Drive alone
74%
75%
62%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
8%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
18%
13%
17%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Forked River has 2.39 people, fewer than in Ocean County (2.65).
In Forked River, 18% of workers work from home, more than in Ocean County (13%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Forked River?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Forked River, worth $437,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 51% of the typical household income in Forked River, which is $91,493 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $165,322 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Ocean County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Forked River. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $15,295 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$3,858
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$429,085
Total interest
$617,352
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $7,380 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,135 a month
Tight
$2,135 to $2,745 a month
Hard
more than $2,745 a month
Your payment · 51%
Compared with the typical household income in Forked River ($91,493 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,907
Property tax
$575
Home insurance
$182
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$193
You need at least $15,295 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $3,858; principal and interest $2,907.
The city and its county
Forked River and Ocean County
Forked River is in Ocean County, New Jersey. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Forked River
Map of Ocean County, New Jersey, with Forked River marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Forked River
Ocean County
Other cities with a page
Forked River's own numbers
Typical home value
$437,000
Typical monthly rent
$2,170
Typical yearly household income
$91,493
Households that own their home
92%
Effective property tax rate
1.58%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Ocean County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,249,125
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,209,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,283
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+73%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
22%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Ocean County.
A typical home in Forked River is worth $437,000: 10% above the county and 4% below New Jersey. With the typical household income in Forked River ($91,493 a year), a typical home costs 4.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Forked River4.8 years
Ocean4.4 years
New Jersey4.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Ocean County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Ocean County rose 106% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Ocean County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Ocean County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.5% +3.5% 2016
2017: +2.8% +2.8% 2017
2018: +3.7% +3.7% 2018
2019: +3.2% +3.2% 2019
2020: +4.5% +4.5% 2020
2021: +14.9% +14.9% 2021
2022: +19.4% +19.4% 2022
2023: +10.4% +10.4% 2023
2024: +8.0% +8.0% 2024
2025: +6.0% +6.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Ocean County, New Jersey and the United States
Period
County
New Jersey
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.0%
+6.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+73%
+63%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+106%
+88%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Forked River next to Ocean County, New Jersey and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Forked River$437,000
Ocean$398,400
New Jersey$454,400
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Forked River$2,170
Ocean$1,755
New Jersey$1,720
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Forked River$91,493
Ocean$89,863
New Jersey$103,556
United States$80,734
See the full table
Forked River next to Ocean County and New Jersey
Measure
Forked River
Ocean County
New Jersey
U.S.
Typical home value
$437,000 ▲10% above the county
$398,400
$454,400
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,170 ▲24% above the county
$1,755
$1,720
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$91,493
$89,863
$103,556
$80,734
Households that own their home
92% ▲11 points above the county
81%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$6,902 ▲5% above the county
$6,562
$9,590
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.58% ▼0.07 points below the county
1.65%
2.11%
0.94%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Ocean County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Forked River
For a typical $437,000 home in Forked River, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Forked River's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$3,858a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$15,295
Cash to close
$28,405
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $193
Conventional, 5% down$3,777a month
Down payment
$21,850
Cash to close
$34,960
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $208
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,126a month
Down payment
$87,400
Cash to close
$100,510
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,530a month
Down payment
$65,550
Cash to close
$78,660
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Forked River
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$3,858
$15,295
$429,085
7.18%
FHA MIP · $193
$28,405
580
Conventional, 5% down
$3,777
$21,850
$415,150
7.18%
PMI · $208
$34,960
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,126
$87,400
$349,600
7.18%
None
$100,510
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,530
$65,550
$371,450
8.18%
None
$78,660
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Forked River is $2,170 a month: 24% above the county.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Ocean County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,283 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $43.90 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Ocean County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,671
$32.13
$66,840
1 bedroom
$1,847
$35.52
$73,880
2 bedrooms
$2,283
$43.90
$91,320
3 bedrooms
$2,927
$56.29
$117,080
4 bedrooms
$3,241
$62.33
$129,640
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Forked River
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Forked River is in ZIP code 08731.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,660: $377 more than the fair market rent for Ocean County ($2,283).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Forked River, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
08731
$1,950
$2,150
$2,660
$3,410
$3,780
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
08731 $2,660$3,410
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Forked River when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Ocean County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Forked River or Ocean County. The ones below are statewide in New Jersey: they work in Forked River the same as in the rest of the state.
NJHMFA second loan with no interest, forgiven after five years, for first-time buyers in New Jersey.Offered by New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA).
Extra NJHMFA assistance for first-time buyers whose parents have never owned a home (or who were in foster care in New Jersey).Offered by New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Forked River, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
OI
Ocean, Inc. (ocean Community Economic Action Now, Inc.)
No legal help resource on our list is for Forked River or Ocean County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Forked River and all of Ocean County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Forked River?
The typical home value in Forked River is $437,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Ocean County it is $398,400.
How much does it cost to rent in Forked River?
Typical rent in Forked River is $2,170 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Ocean County is $2,283.
What is the FHA loan limit in Forked River?
Forked River uses the FHA limit for all of Ocean County (2026): $1,249,125 for a one-unit home and $2,402,625 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Forked River?
The typical homeowner in Forked River pays $6,902 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.58% of the home’s value; in Ocean County, the rate is 1.65%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Forked River?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Ocean County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
