At $2,788/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,788 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: September 25, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($96,824) is $2,421 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,645); a 2-bedroom is $2,706.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Caldwell. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Caldwell, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 56.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Caldwell, NJ has changed in 5 years
Median household income fell from $107,596 to $96,824 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.0% shift. Headcount in the area went from 8,800 to 9,003 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. About 58.1% of households rent today, against 50.8% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Caldwell on your salary?
At $2,788/mo, how Caldwell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Caldwell rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Caldwell. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Caldwell
Last updated: September 25, 2026
The median rent in Caldwell is $2,788/mo as of September 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,670/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,706/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,645/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,641/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($96,824/yr), Caldwell ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Caldwell?
How does Caldwell rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $2,788/mo, rent takes ~35% of Caldwell's median household income ($96,824/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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