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City Report · NJ

Somerville

Pop. 13,410·111th most expensive in New Jersey·Somerville rents are up 17.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,480/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.5%
Month-over-Month
+3.5%
vs US Median
+$515
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Somerville · $2,480
More expensive than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
36/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% above what Somerville's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,480/mo
Expected by trend
$2,318/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Somerville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,450
1 BR
$1,630
2 BR
$2,050
3 BR
$2,490
4 BR+
$2,730
Research median
$2,050/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$29,760/yr
At $2,480/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.5% YoY, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Somerville, NJ is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 54.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,410
Median income
$103,760
Median age
35.9
Renters
57%
Age distribution
16.1%
31.9%
25.2%
12.3%
14.5%
Under 1816.1%
18–3431.9%
35–5425.2%
55–6412.3%
65+14.5%
Gender
50.7%
49.3%
Male50.7%
Female49.3%
Race & ethnicity
57.5%
21.1%
White57.5%
Black11.4%
Hispanic21.1%
Asian11.2%
Education (25+)
23.3%
16.2%
54.7%
No HS diploma5.8%
HS diploma23.3%
Some college16.2%
Bachelor's+54.7%
Housing tenure
43%
57%
Owner43%
Renter57%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Somerville, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,955 → $2,480
up 26.9%
Income
$92,995 → $103,760
up 11.6%
Population
12,453 → 13,410
up 7.7%
Renter share
53.4% → 57%
+3.6 pts
Bachelor's+
47.6% → 54.7%
+7.1 pts
Median age
36.7 → 35.9
-0.8 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in Somerville, NJ has climbed from $1,955 to $2,480, a 26.9% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $92,995 in 2021 to $103,760 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 7.7% since 2021, moving from about 12,453 residents to roughly 13,410. Renters now make up 57% of households, compared with 53.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 54.7% of adults here, versus 47.6% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Somerville, NJ market of 2022.

Community

Discussions about Somerville

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

Can you afford rent in Somerville on your salary?

At $2,480/mo, how Somerville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Somerville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Somerville

About renting in Somerville, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Somerville is $2,480/mo as of July 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 29% of local median household income ($103,760/yr), Somerville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Somerville an affordable city for renters?

Somerville is considered affordable for renters. At $2,480/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($103,760/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Somerville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Somerville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,480/mo in Somerville. The local median household income is $103,760/yr, meaning the typical Somerville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Somerville?

Rent in Somerville has increased 17.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Somerville is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #111 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,480/mo.

What percentage of Somerville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57% of Somerville households are renters, while 43% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Somerville has a strong rental market.

How does Somerville rent compare to the national average?

Somerville's median rent of $2,480/mo is $515 (26%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #111 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,480/mo, rent takes ~29% of Somerville's median household income ($103,760/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Somerville 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Somerville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Somerville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Somerville, NJ

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