At $2,191/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly 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 $2,191 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
30% of the median household income ($85,908) is $2,148 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,050); a 3-bedroom is $2,490.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Plainfield. 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
Plainfield, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 22% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Plainfield, NJ has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $85,908 today, compared with $63,750 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 54,183 to 55,236 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. About 55.2% of households rent today, against 58.4% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Plainfield on your salary?
At $2,191/mo, how Plainfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Plainfield rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Plainfield. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Plainfield
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Plainfield is $2,191/mo as of October 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 31% of local median household income ($85,908/yr), Plainfield ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Plainfield?
How does Plainfield rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $2,191/mo, rent takes ~31% of Plainfield's median household income ($85,908/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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