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City Report · NJ

Iselin

Pop. 19,551·73rd most expensive in New Jersey·Iselin rents are up 10.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,721/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.7%
Month-over-Month
-6.3%
vs US Median
+$759
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Iselin · $2,721
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,721/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$109,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,470/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,721 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$32,652/yr
At $2,721/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 10.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.7% YoY, -6.3% 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 $2,721/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Iselin is $2,721/mo as of August 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 30% of local median household income ($109,500/yr), Iselin ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Iselin an affordable city for renters?

Iselin is considered moderate for renters. At $2,721/mo, rent takes approximately 30% 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 $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,721/mo in Iselin. The local median household income is $109,500/yr, meaning the typical Iselin household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Iselin?

Rent in Iselin has increased 10.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Iselin is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #73 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,721/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Iselin?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Iselin ($2,721/mo): Rahway ($2,490/mo), Avenel ($2,498/mo), Woodbridge ($2,592/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 $2,721/mo is $759 (39%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #73 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,721/mo, rent takes ~30% of Iselin's median household income ($109,500/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Iselin 30%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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