City Report · NJ

Summit

Pop. 22,705·39th most expensive in New Jersey·Summit rents are up 9.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,025/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.6%
vs US Median
+$1,063
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Summit · $3,025
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
50/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Summit's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$3,025/mo
Expected by trend
$3,028/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Summit's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,140
1 BR
$2,440
2 BR
$2,950
3 BR
$3,720
4 BR+
$4,230
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,950/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,025 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
$36,300/yr
At $3,025/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.4% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Summit, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 72.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,705
Median income
$190,304
Median age
41.8
Renters
31.7%
Age distribution
24.6%
14.4%
29.7%
16.8%
14.6%
Under 1824.6%
18–3414.4%
35–5429.7%
55–6416.8%
65+14.6%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
69.1%
13.1%
White69.1%
Black6%
Hispanic13.1%
Asian7.3%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
12.4%
72.5%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma10.3%
Some college12.4%
Bachelor's+72.5%
Housing tenure
68.3%
31.7%
Owner68.3%
Renter31.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Summit, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,061 → $3,025
up 46.8%
Income
$151,505 → $190,304
up 25.6%
Population
22,598 → 22,705
up 0.5%
Renter share
30.3% → 31.7%
+1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
69.6% → 72.5%
+2.9 pts
Median age
39.7 → 41.8
+2.1 yrs

Rent in Summit, NJ has increased 46.8% since 2021, going from about $2,061 per month to roughly $3,025 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Summit, NJ now reports about $190,304, up from $151,505 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 21.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 69.6% to 72.5%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Summit, NJ reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Summit on your salary?

At $3,025/mo, how Summit rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Summit rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Summit

About renting in Summit, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Summit is $3,025/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,950/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,440/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,720/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($190,304/yr), Summit ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Summit an affordable city for renters?

Summit is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,025/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($190,304/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Summit falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Summit?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $121,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,025/mo in Summit. The local median household income is $190,304/yr, meaning the typical Summit household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Summit?

Rent in Summit has increased 9.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Summit is one of the pricier cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #39 out of 183 tracked cities at $3,025/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Summit?

Springfield is nearby and more affordable at $2,727/mo, which is $298 less than Summit.

What percentage of Summit residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.7% of Summit households are renters, while 68.3% are owner-occupied. Summit leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Summit rent compare to the national average?

Summit's median rent of $3,025/mo is $1,063 (54%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #39 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,025/mo, rent takes ~19% of Summit's median household income ($190,304/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Summit 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Summit affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Summit
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Summit, NJ

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