City Report · NJ

Dover

Pop. 18,563·123rd most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Dover, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,396/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-3.1%
vs US Median
+$431
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dover · $2,396
More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,396/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$96,000/yr
Local median income
$73,737/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Dover's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,770
1 BR
$2,020
2 BR
$2,440
3 BR
$3,070
4 BR+
$3,490
Research median
$2,440/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$28,752/yr
At $2,396/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -3.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Dover, NJ is roughly split between renters and owners, 17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,563
Median income
$73,737
Median age
39.8
Renters
54%
Age distribution
19.3%
24.1%
27.3%
13.9%
15.4%
Under 1819.3%
18–3424.1%
35–5427.3%
55–6413.9%
65+15.4%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
21.2%
76.4%
White21.2%
Black5.8%
Hispanic76.4%
Asian2.1%
Education (25+)
22.6%
34.3%
25.8%
17.3%
No HS diploma22.6%
HS diploma34.3%
Some college25.8%
Bachelor's+17.3%
Housing tenure
46%
54%
Owner46%
Renter54%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Dover, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$69,434 → $73,737
up 6.2%
Population
18,418 → 18,563
up 0.8%
Renter share
56.7% → 54%
-2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
15.1% → 17.3%
+2.2 pts
Median age
39.2 → 39.8
+0.6 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $73,737 today, compared with $69,434 five years earlier. Renters now make up 54% of households, compared with 56.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 17.3% of adults here, versus 15.1% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Dover

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

Can you afford rent in Dover on your salary?

At $2,396/mo, how Dover rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dover rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dover

About renting in Dover, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Dover is $2,396/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,440/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,070/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($73,737/yr), Dover ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dover an affordable city for renters?

Dover is considered moderate for renters. At $2,396/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($73,737/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dover slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Dover?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,396/mo in Dover. The local median household income is $73,737/yr, meaning the typical Dover household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dover?

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

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

Dover is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #123 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,396/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dover?

Randolph is nearby and more affordable at $2,049/mo, which is $347 less than Dover.

What percentage of Dover residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 54% of Dover households are renters, while 46% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Dover has a strong rental market.

How does Dover rent compare to the national average?

Dover's median rent of $2,396/mo is $431 (22%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #123 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $2,396/mo, rent takes ~39% of Dover's median household income ($73,737/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dover 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Dover affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Dover
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Dover, NJ

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