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City Report · NJ

Iselin

Pop. 19,551·53rd most expensive in New Jersey·Iselin rents are up 17.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,905/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.9%
Month-over-Month
-4.9%
vs US Median
+$940
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Iselin · $2,905
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,905/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$116,000/yr
Local median income
$109,500/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Iselin's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,750
1 BR
$1,960
2 BR
$2,470
3 BR
$2,980
4 BR+
$3,270
Research median
$2,470/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
$34,860/yr
At $2,905/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.9% YoY, -4.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Iselin, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 53.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
19,551
Median income
$109,500
Median age
38.5
Renters
34.7%
Age distribution
20.8%
23.4%
26.1%
13.5%
16.1%
Under 1820.8%
18–3423.4%
35–5426.1%
55–6413.5%
65+16.1%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
25.4%
14.8%
48.5%
White25.4%
Black10.8%
Hispanic14.8%
Asian48.5%
Other0.5%
Education (25+)
19%
17.6%
53.7%
No HS diploma9.6%
HS diploma19%
Some college17.6%
Bachelor's+53.7%
Housing tenure
65.3%
34.7%
Owner65.3%
Renter34.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Iselin, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$103,179 → $109,500
up 6.1%
Population
17,684 → 19,551
up 10.6%
Renter share
29% → 34.7%
+5.7 pts
Bachelor's+
52.8% → 53.7%
+0.9 pts
Median age
42.8 → 38.5
-4.3 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $103,179 to $109,500 across the same window, up 6.1% versus 2021. Census counts show Iselin, NJ adding about 1,867 residents over the five-year window, up 10.6% on net. The renter share has risen from 29% to 34.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Iselin

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

Can you afford rent in Iselin on your salary?

At $2,905/mo, how Iselin rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Iselin rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Iselin

About renting in Iselin, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Iselin is $2,905/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,960/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,980/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($109,500/yr), Iselin ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Iselin an affordable city for renters?

Iselin is considered moderate for renters. At $2,905/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($109,500/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Iselin slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Iselin?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $116,000/year (~$56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,905/mo in Iselin. The local median household income is $109,500/yr, meaning the typical Iselin household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Iselin?

Rent in Iselin has increased 17.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Iselin is one of the pricier cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #53 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,905/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Iselin?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Iselin ($2,905/mo): Avenel ($2,500/mo), Rahway ($2,506/mo), Woodbridge ($2,618/mo).

What percentage of Iselin residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.7% of Iselin households are renters, while 65.3% are owner-occupied. Iselin leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Iselin rent compare to the national average?

Iselin's median rent of $2,905/mo is $940 (48%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #53 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,905/mo, rent takes ~32% of Iselin's median household income ($109,500/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Iselin 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Iselin affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Iselin, NJ

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