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City Report · NJ

South Plainfield

Pop. 24,473·78th most expensive in New Jersey·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,677/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.6%
vs US Median
+$715
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Plainfield · $2,677
More expensive than 84% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,677/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$107,000/yr
Local median income
$130,239/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Plainfield's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,630
1 BR
$1,830
2 BR
$2,300
3 BR
$2,770
4 BR+
$3,050
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,300/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,677 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
$32,124/yr
At $2,677/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Plainfield, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 44% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,473
Median income
$130,239
Median age
41.7
Renters
14.1%
Age distribution
20.9%
18%
27.9%
13.7%
19.4%
Under 1820.9%
18–3418%
35–5427.9%
55–6413.7%
65+19.4%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
50.5%
17%
21.3%
White50.5%
Black10%
Hispanic17%
Asian21.3%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
23.6%
25%
44%
No HS diploma7.5%
HS diploma23.6%
Some college25%
Bachelor's+44%
Housing tenure
85.9%
14.1%
Owner85.9%
Renter14.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How South Plainfield, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$114,293 → $130,239
up 14.0%
Population
24,251 → 24,473
up 0.9%
Renter share
14.3% → 14.1%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
41.1% → 44%
+2.9 pts
Median age
41.2 → 41.7
+0.5 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $114,293 to $130,239 across the same window, up 14.0% versus 2021. College-educated residents now make up 44% of adults here, versus 41.1% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about South Plainfield

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

Can you afford rent in South Plainfield on your salary?

At $2,677/mo, how South Plainfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Plainfield rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Plainfield

About renting in South Plainfield, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in South Plainfield is $2,677/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,630/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,770/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($130,239/yr), South Plainfield ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Plainfield an affordable city for renters?

South Plainfield is considered affordable for renters. At $2,677/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($130,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Plainfield falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $107,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,677/mo in South Plainfield. The local median household income is $130,239/yr, meaning the typical South Plainfield household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Plainfield?

Rent in South Plainfield has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

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

South Plainfield is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #78 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,677/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Plainfield ($2,677/mo): North Plainfield ($2,100/mo), Plainfield ($2,170/mo), Piscataway ($2,625/mo).

What percentage of South Plainfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 14.1% of South Plainfield households are renters, while 85.9% are owner-occupied. South Plainfield leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Plainfield rent compare to the national average?

South Plainfield's median rent of $2,677/mo is $715 (36%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #78 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,677/mo, rent takes ~25% of South Plainfield's median household income ($130,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Plainfield 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the South Plainfield affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in South Plainfield
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Plainfield, NJ

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