City Report · NJ

Rockaway

Pop. 6,613·94th most expensive in New Jersey·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,660/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.1%
vs US Median
+$695
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rockaway · $2,660
More expensive than 84% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,660/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$106,000/yr
Local median income
$107,053/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Rockaway's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,760
1 BR
$2,010
2 BR
$2,430
3 BR
$3,060
4 BR+
$3,480
Research median
$2,430/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$31,920/yr
At $2,660/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rockaway, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 38.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,613
Median income
$107,053
Median age
47.1
Renters
39.6%
Age distribution
17.2%
18.5%
25.1%
21.9%
17.3%
Under 1817.2%
18–3418.5%
35–5425.1%
55–6421.9%
65+17.3%
Gender
53%
47%
Male53%
Female47%
Race & ethnicity
74.4%
19.5%
White74.4%
Black0.8%
Hispanic19.5%
Asian4.9%
Education (25+)
24.9%
31.4%
38.3%
No HS diploma5.5%
HS diploma24.9%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+38.3%
Housing tenure
60.4%
39.6%
Owner60.4%
Renter39.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rockaway, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$90,048 → $107,053
up 18.9%
Population
6,587 → 6,613
up 0.4%
Renter share
37.2% → 39.6%
+2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
38.1% → 38.3%
+0.2 pts
Median age
45.2 → 47.1
+1.9 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $90,048 in 2021 to $107,053 more recently. About 39.6% of households rent today, against 37.2% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Rockaway on your salary?

At $2,660/mo, how Rockaway rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rockaway rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rockaway

About renting in Rockaway, NJ

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Rockaway is $2,660/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,430/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,060/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($107,053/yr), Rockaway ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rockaway an affordable city for renters?

Rockaway is considered moderate for renters. At $2,660/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($107,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rockaway slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Rockaway?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,660/mo in Rockaway. The local median household income is $107,053/yr, meaning the typical Rockaway household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rockaway?

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

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

Rockaway is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #94 out of 186 tracked cities at $2,660/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rockaway?

Dover is nearby and more affordable at $2,396/mo, which is $264 less than Rockaway.

What percentage of Rockaway residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.6% of Rockaway households are renters, while 60.4% are owner-occupied. Rockaway leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rockaway rent compare to the national average?

Rockaway's median rent of $2,660/mo is $695 (35%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #94 out of 186 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,660/mo, rent takes ~30% of Rockaway's median household income ($107,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Rockaway, NJ

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