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City Report · NJ

Jersey City

Pop. 294,078·30th most expensive in New Jersey·Jersey City rents are up 7.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,182/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.2%
vs US Median
+$1,217
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Jersey City · $3,182
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
47/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Jersey City's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$3,182/mo
Expected by trend
$3,128/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Jersey City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,217
1 BR
$2,250
2 BR
$2,550
3 BR
$3,147
4 BR+
$3,557
Research median
$2,550/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
$38,184/yr
At $3,182/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.0% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Jersey City, NJ is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 54.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
294,078
Median income
$97,710
Median age
34.7
Renters
72.1%
Age distribution
19.7%
31%
27.9%
Under 1819.7%
18–3431%
35–5427.9%
55–649.6%
65+11.8%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
26.2%
20.4%
25.7%
26.8%
White26.2%
Black20.4%
Hispanic25.7%
Asian26.8%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
19.2%
16.8%
54.8%
No HS diploma9.2%
HS diploma19.2%
Some college16.8%
Bachelor's+54.8%
Housing tenure
27.9%
72.1%
Owner27.9%
Renter72.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Jersey City, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,195 → $3,182
up 45.0%
Income
$81,390 → $97,710
up 20.1%
Population
287,146 → 294,078
up 2.4%
Renter share
70.4% → 72.1%
+1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
51.1% → 54.8%
+3.7 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Jersey City, NJ has shifted from $2,195 to $3,182, up 45.0% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $97,710 today, compared with $81,390 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Jersey City, NJ adding about 6,932 residents over the five-year window, up 2.4% on net. The renter share has risen from 70.4% to 72.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 51.1% to 54.8% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Jersey City

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View Jersey City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Jersey City on your salary?

At $3,182/mo, how Jersey City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Jersey City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Jersey City

About renting in Jersey City, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Jersey City is $3,182/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,217/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,250/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,147/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($97,710/yr), Jersey City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Jersey City an affordable city for renters?

Jersey City is considered moderate for renters. At $3,182/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($97,710/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Jersey City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Jersey City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $127,000/year (~$61/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,182/mo in Jersey City. The local median household income is $97,710/yr, meaning the typical Jersey City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Jersey City?

Rent in Jersey City has increased 7.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Jersey City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Jersey City are 07305 ($2,302/mo), 07304 ($2,439/mo), and 07307 ($2,585/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Jersey City is $3,182/mo.

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

Jersey City is one of the pricier cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #30 out of 180 tracked cities at $3,182/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Jersey City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Jersey City ($3,182/mo): Union City ($2,421/mo), Secaucus ($2,764/mo).

What percentage of Jersey City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 72.1% of Jersey City households are renters, while 27.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Jersey City has a strong rental market.

How does Jersey City rent compare to the national average?

Jersey City's median rent of $3,182/mo is $1,217 (62%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #30 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $3,182/mo, rent takes ~39% of Jersey City's median household income ($97,710/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Jersey City, NJ

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