Rents are 13% below what Paterson's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,864 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Paterson, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Paterson, NJ has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Paterson, NJ paid around $1,620 a month. That figure now sits near $1,864, up 15.1% from the 2022 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $48,540 in 2021 to $55,997 more recently. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Paterson, NJ market of 2022.
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Can you afford rent in Paterson on your salary?
At $1,864/mo, how Paterson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Paterson rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Paterson. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Paterson
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Paterson is $1,864/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,305/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,738/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,513/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,138/mo.
At 40% of local median household income ($55,997/yr), Paterson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paterson an affordable city for renters?
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Which Paterson neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Paterson residents rent vs. own?
How does Paterson rent compare to the national average?
At $1,864/mo, rent takes ~40% of Paterson's median household income ($55,997/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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