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City Report · NJ

Forked River

Pop. 5,196·80th most expensive in New Jersey·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,650/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$685
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Forked River · $2,650
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
35% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,650/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$106,000/yr
Local median income
$91,493/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Forked River's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,740
1 BR
$1,950
2 BR
$2,410
3 BR
$3,210
4 BR+
$3,570
Research median
$2,410/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: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$31,800/yr
At $2,650/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, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Forked River, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 25.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,196
Median income
$91,493
Median age
49.9
Renters
7.8%
Age distribution
19.9%
13%
26.8%
15%
25.3%
Under 1819.9%
18–3413%
35–5426.8%
55–6415%
65+25.3%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
86.5%
16.1%
White86.5%
Black0.8%
Hispanic16.1%
Education (25+)
37.5%
32.7%
25.6%
No HS diploma4.3%
HS diploma37.5%
Some college32.7%
Bachelor's+25.6%
Housing tenure
92.2%
Owner92.2%
Renter7.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Forked River, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$78,487 → $91,493
up 16.6%
Population
5,139 → 5,196
up 1.1%
Renter share
14.8% → 7.8%
-7.0 pts
Bachelor's+
23.4% → 25.6%
+2.2 pts
Median age
46.1 → 49.9
+3.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $78,487 to $91,493 across the same window, up 16.6% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 5,139 to 5,196 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.1% change. About 7.8% of households rent today, against 14.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 23.4% to 25.6%.

Community

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View Forked River rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Forked River on your salary?

At $2,650/mo, how Forked River rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Forked River rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Forked River

About renting in Forked River, NJ

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Forked River is $2,650/mo as of March 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,950/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,210/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($91,493/yr), Forked River ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Forked River an affordable city for renters?

Forked River is considered moderate for renters. At $2,650/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($91,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Forked River slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Forked River?

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 $2,650/mo in Forked River. The local median household income is $91,493/yr, meaning the typical Forked River household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Forked River?

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

How does Forked River rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

Forked River is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #80 out of 198 tracked cities at $2,650/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Forked River?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Forked River ($2,650/mo): Lakewood ($2,021/mo), Seaside Heights ($2,469/mo).

What percentage of Forked River residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 7.8% of Forked River households are renters, while 92.2% are owner-occupied. Forked River leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Forked River rent compare to the national average?

Forked River's median rent of $2,650/mo is $685 (35%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #80 out of 198 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,650/mo, rent takes ~35% of Forked River's median household income ($91,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Forked River 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Forked River affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Forked River, NJ

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