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City Report · NJ

Rockaway

Pop. 6,613·42nd most expensive in New Jersey·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,980/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+12.0%
vs US Median
+$1,018
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rockaway · $2,980
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,980/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$119,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,430/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,980 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
$35,760/yr
At $2,980/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +12.0% 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

Discussions about Rockaway

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

Can you afford rent in Rockaway on your salary?

At $2,980/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rockaway is $2,980/mo as of August 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 33% 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 $2,980/mo, rent takes approximately 33% 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 $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,980/mo in Rockaway. The local median household income is $107,053/yr, meaning the typical Rockaway household falls short of 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 August 2026.

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

Rockaway is one of the pricier cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #42 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,980/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rockaway?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Rockaway ($2,980/mo): Dover ($2,335/mo), Parsippany ($2,825/mo), Boonton ($2,933/mo).

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 $2,980/mo is $1,018 (52%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #42 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $2,980/mo, rent takes ~33% of Rockaway's median household income ($107,053/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rockaway 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Rockaway affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rockaway, NJ

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