Rents are 10% below what South Orange's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $2,977 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: August 17, 2026
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How South Orange, NJ has changed in 5 years
Rent in South Orange, NJ has increased 0.8% since 2023, going from about $2,953 per month to roughly $2,977 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 $2,977/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in South Orange is $2,977/mo as of August 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 50% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), South Orange ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 7.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does South Orange rent compare to the national average?
At $2,977/mo, rent takes ~50% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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