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City Report · NJ

Clifton

Pop. 89,379·82nd most expensive in New Jersey·Clifton rents are up 11.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,657/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.4%
vs US Median
+$695
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Clifton · $2,657
More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
45/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Clifton's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,657/mo
Expected by trend
$2,593/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Clifton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,510
1 BR
$1,757
2 BR
$2,013
3 BR
$2,477
4 BR+
$3,133
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,013/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,657 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
$31,884/yr
At $2,657/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.5% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Clifton, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 35.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
89,379
Median income
$98,237
Median age
41.6
Renters
40.4%
Age distribution
19.7%
21.1%
24.7%
14.9%
19.5%
Under 1819.7%
18–3421.1%
35–5424.7%
55–6414.9%
65+19.5%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
49.9%
39.4%
White49.9%
Black4.3%
Hispanic39.4%
Asian8.4%
Education (25+)
30%
24.1%
35.5%
No HS diploma10.4%
HS diploma30%
Some college24.1%
Bachelor's+35.5%
Housing tenure
59.6%
40.4%
Owner59.6%
Renter40.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Clifton, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,130 → $2,657
up 24.7%
Income
$86,616 → $98,237
up 13.4%
Population
89,460 → 89,379
down 0.1%
Renter share
42.9% → 40.4%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
33.7% → 35.5%
+1.8 pts
Median age
39.7 → 41.6
+1.9 yrs

Rent in Clifton, NJ has climbed 24.7% since 2023, going from about $2,130 per month to roughly $2,657 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $86,616 in 2021 to $98,237 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 11.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 40.4% of households rent today, against 42.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Clifton, NJ market of 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Clifton on your salary?

At $2,657/mo, how Clifton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Clifton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clifton

About renting in Clifton, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Clifton is $2,657/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,510/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,013/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,757/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,477/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($98,237/yr), Clifton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clifton an affordable city for renters?

Clifton is considered moderate for renters. At $2,657/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($98,237/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clifton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Clifton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,657/mo in Clifton. The local median household income is $98,237/yr, meaning the typical Clifton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clifton?

Rent in Clifton has increased 11.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Clifton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Clifton are 07011 ($2,482/mo), 07013 ($2,621/mo), and 07012 ($2,961/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Clifton is $2,657/mo.

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

Clifton is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #82 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,657/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clifton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Clifton ($2,657/mo): Paterson ($1,864/mo), Passaic ($2,077/mo), Nutley ($2,217/mo).

What percentage of Clifton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.4% of Clifton households are renters, while 59.6% are owner-occupied. Clifton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Clifton rent compare to the national average?

Clifton's median rent of $2,657/mo is $695 (35%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #82 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,657/mo, rent takes ~32% of Clifton's median household income ($98,237/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clifton 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Clifton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Clifton, NJ

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