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City Report · NJ

Dunellen

Pop. 7,911·115th most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Dunellen, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,455/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+0.6%
vs US Median
+$490
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dunellen · $2,455
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,455/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$98,000/yr
Local median income
$86,967/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Dunellen's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,540
1 BR
$1,730
2 BR
$2,170
3 BR
$2,620
4 BR+
$2,880
Research median
$2,170/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
$29,460/yr
At $2,455/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Dunellen, NJ is majority owner-occupied, 28.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,911
Median income
$86,967
Median age
42.5
Renters
38.6%
Age distribution
22.7%
17.4%
30.8%
15.7%
13.3%
Under 1822.7%
18–3417.4%
35–5430.8%
55–6415.7%
65+13.3%
Gender
55.8%
44.2%
Male55.8%
Female44.2%
Race & ethnicity
43.8%
45.2%
White43.8%
Black4.9%
Hispanic45.2%
Asian6.1%
Education (25+)
18.8%
29.7%
23.2%
28.2%
No HS diploma18.8%
HS diploma29.7%
Some college23.2%
Bachelor's+28.2%
Housing tenure
61.4%
38.6%
Owner61.4%
Renter38.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Dunellen, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$81,525 → $86,967
up 6.7%
Population
7,580 → 7,911
up 4.4%
Renter share
34.5% → 38.6%
+4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
27.4% → 28.2%
+0.8 pts
Median age
38.6 → 42.5
+3.9 yrs

Median household income grew from $81,525 to $86,967 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.7% shift. Headcount in the area went from 7,580 to 7,911 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.4% change. About 38.6% of households rent today, against 34.5% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Dunellen on your salary?

At $2,455/mo, how Dunellen rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dunellen rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dunellen

About renting in Dunellen, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Dunellen is $2,455/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,540/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,620/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($86,967/yr), Dunellen ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dunellen an affordable city for renters?

Dunellen is considered moderate for renters. At $2,455/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($86,967/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dunellen slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Dunellen?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,455/mo in Dunellen. The local median household income is $86,967/yr, meaning the typical Dunellen household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dunellen?

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

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

Dunellen is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #115 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,455/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dunellen?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dunellen ($2,455/mo): North Plainfield ($2,113/mo), Bound Brook ($2,118/mo), Plainfield ($2,174/mo).

What percentage of Dunellen residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.6% of Dunellen households are renters, while 61.4% are owner-occupied. Dunellen leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dunellen rent compare to the national average?

Dunellen's median rent of $2,455/mo is $490 (25%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #115 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $2,455/mo, rent takes ~34% of Dunellen's median household income ($86,967/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dunellen 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Dunellen affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Dunellen
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Dunellen, NJ

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