At $3,024/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $3,024 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
Rent in Montvale changed -12.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 121 New Jersey cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.
30% of the median household income ($178,269) is $4,457 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,890).
Hawthorne, 9 miles away, rents for 14% less ($2,607/mo), about $5,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Montvale. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Montvale, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 55% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Montvale, NJ has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $163,170 to $178,269 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.3% shift. Headcount in the area went from 8,413 to 8,901 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.8% change. About 20% of households rent today, against 12% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 58.6% to 55%.
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Can you afford rent in Montvale on your salary?
At $3,024/mo, how Montvale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Montvale rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Montvale. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Montvale
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Montvale is $3,024/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,500/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,080/mo.
At 20% of local median household income ($178,269/yr), Montvale ranks as affordable 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 Montvale?
Is rent going up or down in Montvale?
How does Montvale rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $3,024/mo, rent takes ~20% of Montvale's median household income ($178,269/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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