At $3,119/mo, rent takes about 47% 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 $3,119 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Cranford changed +2.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 121 New Jersey cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($79,508) is $1,988 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($1,910); a 1-bedroom is $2,180.
Roselle, 2 miles away, rents for 20% less ($2,495/mo), about $7,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Cranford. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Discussions about Cranford
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Cranford on your salary?
At $3,119/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: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Cranford is $3,119/mo as of October 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 47% of local median household income ($79,508/yr), Cranford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Cranford?
Is rent going up or down in Cranford?
How does Cranford rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $3,119/mo, rent takes ~47% of Cranford's median household income ($79,508/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Cranford.
No discussions yet.