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City Report · NJ

Plainfield

Pop. 55,236·144th most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Plainfield, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,170/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
+$208
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Plainfield · $2,170
More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,170/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$87,000/yr
Local median income
$85,908/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Plainfield's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,450
1 BR
$1,630
2 BR
$2,050
3 BR
$2,490
4 BR+
$2,750
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 $2,170 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
$26,040/yr
At $2,170/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
55,236
Median income
$85,908
Median age
32.4
Renters
55.2%
Age distribution
28.9%
25.3%
25.2%
Under 1828.9%
18–3425.3%
35–5425.2%
55–6410.5%
65+10.1%
Gender
50.7%
49.3%
Male50.7%
Female49.3%
Race & ethnicity
33.4%
57.1%
White9.1%
Black33.4%
Hispanic57.1%
Asian0.9%
Education (25+)
28.2%
29.2%
20.6%
22%
No HS diploma28.2%
HS diploma29.2%
Some college20.6%
Bachelor's+22%
Housing tenure
44.8%
55.2%
Owner44.8%
Renter55.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Plainfield, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$63,750 → $85,908
up 34.8%
Population
54,183 → 55,236
up 1.9%
Renter share
58.4% → 55.2%
-3.2 pts
Bachelor's+
20.6% → 22%
+1.4 pts
Median age
34.1 → 32.4
-1.7 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Plainfield on your salary?

At $2,170/mo, how Plainfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Plainfield rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Plainfield

About renting in Plainfield, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Plainfield is $2,170/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 30% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Plainfield an affordable city for renters?

Plainfield is considered moderate for renters. At $2,170/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($85,908/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Plainfield slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Plainfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,170/mo in Plainfield. The local median household income is $85,908/yr, meaning the typical Plainfield household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Plainfield?

Rent in Plainfield has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

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

Plainfield is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #144 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,170/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Plainfield?

North Plainfield is nearby and more affordable at $2,100/mo, which is $70 less than Plainfield.

What percentage of Plainfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.2% of Plainfield households are renters, while 44.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Plainfield has a strong rental market.

How does Plainfield rent compare to the national average?

Plainfield's median rent of $2,170/mo is $208 (11%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #144 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,170/mo, rent takes ~30% of Plainfield's median household income ($85,908/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Plainfield, NJ

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