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City Report · NJ

Passaic

Pop. 70,002·154th most expensive in New Jersey·Passaic rents have dropped 7.2%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,077/mo
Year-over-Year
-7.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
+$115
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Passaic · $2,077
More expensive than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
45% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,077/mo, rent takes about 45% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$83,000/yr
Local median income
$55,371/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Passaic's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,230
1 BR
$1,430
2 BR
$1,640
3 BR
$2,020
4 BR+
$2,550
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,640/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,077 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
$24,924/yr
At $2,077/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 7.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-7.2% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
70,002
Median income
$55,371
Median age
31.9
Renters
76.2%
Age distribution
30.1%
23.7%
26.6%
Under 1830.1%
18–3423.7%
35–5426.6%
55–649.3%
65+10.4%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
17.7%
73.3%
White17.7%
Black7.3%
Hispanic73.3%
Asian4.5%
Education (25+)
32.4%
36.9%
14%
16.7%
No HS diploma32.4%
HS diploma36.9%
Some college14%
Bachelor's+16.7%
Housing tenure
23.8%
76.2%
Owner23.8%
Renter76.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Passaic, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,436 → $55,371
up 12.0%
Population
70,308 → 70,002
down 0.4%
Renter share
78.7% → 76.2%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
15.9% → 16.7%
+0.8 pts
Median age
30 → 31.9
+1.9 yrs

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.

Community

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View Passaic rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Passaic on your salary?

At $2,077/mo, how Passaic rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Passaic rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Passaic

About renting in Passaic, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Passaic is $2,077/mo as of August 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 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Passaic an affordable city for renters?

Passaic is considered stretched for renters. At $2,077/mo, rent takes approximately 45% of the local median household income ($55,371/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Passaic significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Passaic?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $83,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,077/mo in Passaic. The local median household income is $55,371/yr, meaning the typical Passaic household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Passaic?

Rent in Passaic has decreased 7.2% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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

Passaic is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #154 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,077/mo.

What percentage of Passaic residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 76.2% of Passaic households are renters, while 23.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Passaic has a strong rental market.

How does Passaic rent compare to the national average?

Passaic's median rent of $2,077/mo is $115 (6%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #154 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
45%
STRETCHED

At $2,077/mo, rent takes ~45% of Passaic's median household income ($55,371/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Passaic 45%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Passaic affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Passaic, NJ

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