At $2,055/mo, rent takes about 45% 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 $2,055 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 Passaic changed -2.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 121 New Jersey cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.
Rent has fallen 5 months in a row, and rose in 4 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($55,371) is $1,384 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($1,230); a 1-bedroom is $1,430.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Passaic. 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
Passaic, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Passaic, NJ has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Passaic, NJ now reports about $55,371, up from $49,436 in 2021. The renter share has eased from 78.7% to 76.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
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Can you afford rent in Passaic on your salary?
At $2,055/mo, how Passaic rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Passaic rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Passaic. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Passaic
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Passaic is $2,055/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,230/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,020/mo.
At 45% of local median household income ($55,371/yr), Passaic ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Passaic?
How does Passaic rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $2,055/mo, rent takes ~45% of Passaic's median household income ($55,371/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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