At $2,899/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well 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 $2,899 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Cranford, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large retiree population, 63.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Cranford, NJ has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $89,833 to $79,508 across the same window, down 11.5% versus 2021. The population has grown by 5.0% since 2021, moving from about 1,844 residents to roughly 1,937. Renters now make up 64.6% of households, compared with 62.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 63.1% of adults here, versus 48.8% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Cranford on your salary?
At $2,899/mo, how Cranford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Cranford rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Cranford. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Cranford
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Cranford is $2,899/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,320/mo.
At 44% of local median household income ($79,508/yr), Cranford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Cranford rent compare to the national average?
At $2,899/mo, rent takes ~44% of Cranford's median household income ($79,508/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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