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City Report · NJ

New Brunswick

Pop. 56,345·69th most expensive in New Jersey·New Brunswick rents are up 7.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,735/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
+$773
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
New Brunswick · $2,735
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where New Brunswick's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,735/mo
Expected by trend
$2,771/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where New Brunswick's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,450
1 BR
$1,630
2 BR
$2,050
3 BR
$2,490
4 BR+
$2,730
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,050/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,735 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
$32,820/yr
At $2,735/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, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

New Brunswick, NJ is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 23.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
56,345
Median income
$65,810
Median age
24.8
Renters
78.6%
Age distribution
21.5%
43.6%
21.6%
Under 1821.5%
18–3443.6%
35–5421.6%
55–647%
65+6.4%
Gender
52.6%
47.4%
Male52.6%
Female47.4%
Race & ethnicity
29.5%
12.6%
54.6%
White29.5%
Black12.6%
Hispanic54.6%
Asian8.1%
Education (25+)
32.7%
29.3%
14.6%
23.4%
No HS diploma32.7%
HS diploma29.3%
Some college14.6%
Bachelor's+23.4%
Housing tenure
21.4%
78.6%
Owner21.4%
Renter78.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How New Brunswick, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,885 → $2,735
up 45.1%
Income
$49,338 → $65,810
up 33.4%
Population
55,671 → 56,345
up 1.2%
Renter share
80.2% → 78.6%
-1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
24.6% → 23.4%
-1.2 pts
Median age
23.7 → 24.8
+1.1 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in New Brunswick, NJ has climbed from $1,885 to $2,735, a 45.1% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in New Brunswick, NJ now reports about $65,810, up from $49,338 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 55,671 residents to roughly 56,345. Renters now make up 78.6% of households, compared with 80.2% five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and New Brunswick, NJ reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about New Brunswick

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View New Brunswick rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in New Brunswick on your salary?

At $2,735/mo, how New Brunswick rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

New Brunswick rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in New Brunswick

About renting in New Brunswick, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in New Brunswick is $2,735/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,450/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,630/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,490/mo.

At 50% of local median household income ($65,810/yr), New Brunswick ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is New Brunswick an affordable city for renters?

New Brunswick is considered stretched for renters. At $2,735/mo, rent takes approximately 50% of the local median household income ($65,810/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. New Brunswick significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in New Brunswick?

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 $2,735/mo in New Brunswick. The local median household income is $65,810/yr, meaning the typical New Brunswick household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in New Brunswick?

Rent in New Brunswick has increased 7.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

New Brunswick is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #69 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,735/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than New Brunswick?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than New Brunswick ($2,735/mo): Highland Park ($2,393/mo), North Brunswick ($2,608/mo), Piscataway ($2,625/mo).

What percentage of New Brunswick residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 78.6% of New Brunswick households are renters, while 21.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, New Brunswick has a strong rental market.

How does New Brunswick rent compare to the national average?

New Brunswick's median rent of $2,735/mo is $773 (39%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #69 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
50%
STRETCHED

At $2,735/mo, rent takes ~50% of New Brunswick's median household income ($65,810/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

New Brunswick 50%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the New Brunswick affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in New Brunswick
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near New Brunswick, NJ

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