Rents are right about where South Orange's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,094 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in South Orange is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2022.
Rent in South Orange changed +4.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 121 New Jersey cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
Orange, 2 miles away, rents for 36% less ($1,968/mo), about $13,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for South Orange.
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How South Orange, NJ has changed in 5 years
Rent in South Orange, NJ has increased 12.7% since 2023, going from about $2,746 per month to roughly $3,094 today. Taken together, the five-year picture in South Orange, NJ reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.
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Can you afford rent in South Orange on your salary?
At $3,094/mo, how South Orange rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
South Orange rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in South Orange. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in South Orange
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in South Orange is $3,094/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,250/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,100/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,560/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,900/mo.
At 52% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), South Orange ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in South Orange?
Is rent going up or down in South Orange?
How does South Orange rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $3,094/mo, rent takes ~52% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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