How much does it cost to rent in Kearny, NJ?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Kearny, NJ is $2,168. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Kearny cheaper than other New Jersey cities?

Kearny is among the more affordable cities in New Jersey, ranking #145 out of 183 cities at $2,168/mo.

When was Kearny rent data last updated?

Kearny rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Kearny, NJ?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Kearny, NJ at $2,000 per month, which is 8% below the $2,168 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · NJ

Kearny

Name: Average Rent Prices in Kearny, NJ
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 40,614·145th most expensive in New Jersey·Kearny rents have dropped 7.4%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$2,168/mo

Year-over-Year

-7.4%

Month-over-Month

-5.8%

vs US Median

+$206

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Kearny rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Kearny · $2,168

More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

82/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what Kearny's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,168/mo

Expected by trend

$2,587/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kearny's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,740

1 BR

$1,770

2 BR

$2,000

3 BR

$2,460

4 BR+

$2,800

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$2,000/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,168 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$26,016/yr

At $2,168/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 7.4% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-7.4% YoY, -5.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Kearny, NJ is majority renter-occupied, 30.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

40,614

Median income

$79,154

Median age

Renters

57.1%

Age distribution

19.7%

22.6%

30.8%

13.2%

13.6%

Under 1819.7%

18–3422.6%

35–5430.8%

55–6413.2%

65+13.6%

Gender

52.9%

47.1%

Male52.9%

Female47.1%

Race & ethnicity

36.5%

51.7%

White36.5%

Black5.8%

Hispanic51.7%

Asian4.4%

Other1.6%

Education (25+)

15.2%

34.5%

19.7%

30.6%

No HS diploma15.2%

HS diploma34.5%

Some college19.7%

Bachelor's+30.6%

Housing tenure

42.9%

57.1%

Owner42.9%

Renter57.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kearny, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,597 → $2,168

up 35.8%

Income

$76,647 → $79,154

up 3.3%

Population

41,790 → 40,614

down 2.8%

Renter share

53.3% → 57.1%

+3.8 pts

Bachelor's+

27.7% → 30.6%

+2.9 pts

Median age

38.2 → 40

+1.8 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Kearny, NJ paid around $1,597 a month. That figure now sits near $2,168, up 35.8% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Kearny, NJ now reports about $79,154, up from $76,647 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Kearny, NJ losing about 1,176 residents over the five-year window, down 2.8% on net. The renter share has risen from 53.3% to 57.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.7% to 30.6% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Kearny, NJ reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Kearny

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View Kearny rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kearny on your salary?

At $2,168/mo, how Kearny rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $105,818/yr · Rent = 24.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $75,130/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $86,542/yr · Rent = 30.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $154,683/yr · Rent = 16.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $197,646/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $70,347/yr · Rent = 37% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $63,515/yr · Rent = 41% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $78,288/yr · Rent = 33.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Kearny rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kearny

About renting in Kearny, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kearny is $2,168/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,460/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($79,154/yr), Kearny ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 7.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kearny an affordable city for renters?

Kearny is considered moderate for renters. At $2,168/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($79,154/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kearny slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Kearny?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,168/mo in Kearny. The local median household income is $79,154/yr, meaning the typical Kearny household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kearny?

Rent in Kearny has decreased 7.4% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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

Kearny is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #145 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,168/mo.

What percentage of Kearny residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57.1% of Kearny households are renters, while 42.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Kearny has a strong rental market.

How does Kearny rent compare to the national average?

Kearny's median rent of $2,168/mo is $206 (10%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #145 out of 183 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $2,168/mo, rent takes ~33% of Kearny's median household income ($79,154/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kearny 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.4–10.75%

Run the Kearny affordability calculator →

Nearby cities