At $2,288/mo, rent takes about 48% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,288 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($56,968) is $1,424 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,380); a 2-bedroom is $1,700.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lakewood. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Lakewood, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lakewood, NJ has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $52,222 in 2021 to $56,968 more recently. The population has grown by 4.2% since 2021, moving from about 66,752 residents to roughly 69,585. College-educated residents now make up 31.9% of adults here, versus 34.2% in 2021.
Discussions about Lakewood
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Lakewood on your salary?
At $2,288/mo, how Lakewood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lakewood rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lakewood. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lakewood
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lakewood is $2,288/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,230/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,700/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,380/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,260/mo.
At 48% of local median household income ($56,968/yr), Lakewood ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Lakewood?
Is rent going up or down in Lakewood?
How does Lakewood rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lakewood?
At $2,288/mo, rent takes ~48% of Lakewood's median household income ($56,968/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Lakewood.
No discussions yet.