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City Report · NJ

Caldwell

Pop. 9,003·52nd most expensive in New Jersey·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,900/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+16.1%
vs US Median
+$938
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Caldwell · $2,900
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,900/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$116,000/yr
Local median income
$96,824/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Caldwell's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,670
1 BR
$1,645
2 BR
$2,706
3 BR
$2,641
4 BR+
$2,853
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,706/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,900 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$34,800/yr
At $2,900/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +16.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
9,003
Median income
$96,824
Median age
37.2
Renters
58.1%
Age distribution
20%
24.9%
24.4%
18.7%
Under 1820%
18–3424.9%
35–5424.4%
55–6412%
65+18.7%
Gender
50.7%
49.3%
Male50.7%
Female49.3%
Race & ethnicity
59%
20.8%
13.9%
White59%
Black4.8%
Hispanic20.8%
Asian13.9%
Other1.6%
Education (25+)
18.3%
17.4%
56.9%
No HS diploma7.5%
HS diploma18.3%
Some college17.4%
Bachelor's+56.9%
Housing tenure
41.9%
58.1%
Owner41.9%
Renter58.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Caldwell, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$107,596 → $96,824
down 10.0%
Population
8,800 → 9,003
up 2.3%
Renter share
50.8% → 58.1%
+7.3 pts
Bachelor's+
57.3% → 56.9%
-0.4 pts
Median age
38 → 37.2
-0.8 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Caldwell

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View Caldwell rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Caldwell on your salary?

At $2,900/mo, how Caldwell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Caldwell rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Caldwell. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Caldwell

About renting in Caldwell, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Caldwell is $2,900/mo as of August 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 36% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Caldwell an affordable city for renters?

Caldwell is considered moderate for renters. At $2,900/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($96,824/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Caldwell slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Caldwell?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $116,000/year (~$56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,900/mo in Caldwell. The local median household income is $96,824/yr, meaning the typical Caldwell household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Caldwell?

Rent in Caldwell has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Caldwell rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

Caldwell is one of the pricier cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #52 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,900/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Caldwell?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Caldwell ($2,900/mo): Little Falls ($2,654/mo), West Orange ($2,877/mo).

What percentage of Caldwell residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.1% of Caldwell households are renters, while 41.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Caldwell has a strong rental market.

How does Caldwell rent compare to the national average?

Caldwell's median rent of $2,900/mo is $938 (48%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #52 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $2,900/mo, rent takes ~36% of Caldwell's median household income ($96,824/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Caldwell 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Caldwell affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Caldwell, NJ

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