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City Report · NJ

South Amboy

Pop. 9,989·63rd most expensive in New Jersey·South Amboy rents are up 17.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,811/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.7%
Month-over-Month
-3.1%
vs US Median
+$846
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Amboy · $2,811
More expensive than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
37% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,811/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$112,000/yr
Local median income
$91,997/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Amboy'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+
$2,730
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
$33,732/yr
At $2,811/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.7% YoY, -3.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Amboy, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 28.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,989
Median income
$91,997
Median age
42.4
Renters
43.5%
Age distribution
18.9%
21.4%
24.7%
15.1%
20%
Under 1818.9%
18–3421.4%
35–5424.7%
55–6415.1%
65+20%
Gender
44.4%
55.6%
Male44.4%
Female55.6%
Race & ethnicity
65.3%
22.7%
White65.3%
Black10.4%
Hispanic22.7%
Asian3.7%
Education (25+)
34.2%
25.9%
28.2%
No HS diploma11.7%
HS diploma34.2%
Some college25.9%
Bachelor's+28.2%
Housing tenure
56.5%
43.5%
Owner56.5%
Renter43.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How South Amboy, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,421 → $2,811
up 16.1%
Income
$93,859 → $91,997
down 2.0%
Population
9,320 → 9,989
up 7.2%
Renter share
43.9% → 43.5%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
28.5% → 28.2%
-0.3 pts
Median age
41.4 → 42.4
+1.0 yrs

Rent in South Amboy, NJ has increased 16.1% since 2023, going from about $2,421 per month to roughly $2,811 today. Census figures show median household income at $91,997 today, compared with $93,859 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 18.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 9,320 to 9,989 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.2% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

Discussions about South Amboy

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View South Amboy rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Amboy on your salary?

At $2,811/mo, how South Amboy rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Amboy rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Amboy

About renting in South Amboy, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in South Amboy is $2,811/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 37% of local median household income ($91,997/yr), South Amboy ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Amboy an affordable city for renters?

South Amboy is considered moderate for renters. At $2,811/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($91,997/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Amboy slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in South Amboy?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $112,000/year (~$54/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,811/mo in South Amboy. The local median household income is $91,997/yr, meaning the typical South Amboy household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Amboy?

Rent in South Amboy has increased 17.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does South Amboy rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

South Amboy is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #63 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,811/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Amboy?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Amboy ($2,811/mo): Perth Amboy ($2,394/mo), Matawan ($2,571/mo), Woodbridge ($2,618/mo).

What percentage of South Amboy residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.5% of South Amboy households are renters, while 56.5% are owner-occupied. South Amboy leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Amboy rent compare to the national average?

South Amboy's median rent of $2,811/mo is $846 (43%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #63 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,811/mo, rent takes ~37% of South Amboy's median household income ($91,997/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Amboy 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the South Amboy affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Amboy, NJ

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