RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · NJ

Trenton

Pop. 90,338·145th most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Trenton, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,139/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$174
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Trenton rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Trenton · $2,139
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Trenton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,139/mo
Expected by trend
$2,211/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Trenton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,412
1 BR
$1,628
2 BR
$2,064
3 BR
$2,488
4 BR+
$2,786
Research median
$2,064/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$25,668/yr
At $2,139/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.8% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Trenton, NJ is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
90,338
Median income
$52,537
Median age
34.8
Renters
62.1%
Age distribution
27.8%
22.5%
25.9%
Under 1827.8%
18–3422.5%
35–5425.9%
55–6411.9%
65+12%
Gender
49.9%
50.1%
Male49.9%
Female50.1%
Race & ethnicity
14.2%
41.3%
46.4%
White14.2%
Black41.3%
Hispanic46.4%
Education (25+)
25.4%
37.5%
20.9%
16.2%
No HS diploma25.4%
HS diploma37.5%
Some college20.9%
Bachelor's+16.2%
Housing tenure
37.9%
62.1%
Owner37.9%
Renter62.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Trenton, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,474 → $2,139
up 45.1%
Income
$39,718 → $52,537
up 32.3%
Population
90,097 → 90,338
up 0.3%
Renter share
61.6% → 62.1%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
15.1% → 16.2%
+1.1 pts
Median age
36.1 → 34.8
-1.3 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Trenton, NJ paid around $1,474 a month. That figure now sits near $2,139, up 45.1% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $39,718 to $52,537 between 2021 and 2024, a 32.3% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Trenton, 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.

Community

Discussions about Trenton

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Trenton on your salary?

At $2,139/mo, how Trenton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Trenton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Trenton

About renting in Trenton, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Trenton is $2,139/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,412/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,064/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,628/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,488/mo.

At 49% of local median household income ($52,537/yr), Trenton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Trenton an affordable city for renters?

Trenton is considered stretched for renters. At $2,139/mo, rent takes approximately 49% of the local median household income ($52,537/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Trenton significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Trenton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,139/mo in Trenton. The local median household income is $52,537/yr, meaning the typical Trenton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Trenton?

Rent in Trenton has decreased 1.8% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Trenton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Trenton are 08610 ($1,845/mo), 08611 ($1,909/mo), and 08618 ($2,115/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Trenton is $2,139/mo.

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

Trenton is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #145 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,139/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Trenton?

Morrisville is nearby and more affordable at $1,678/mo, which is $461 less than Trenton.

What percentage of Trenton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 62.1% of Trenton households are renters, while 37.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Trenton has a strong rental market.

How does Trenton rent compare to the national average?

Trenton's median rent of $2,139/mo is $174 (9%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #145 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
49%
STRETCHED

At $2,139/mo, rent takes ~49% of Trenton's median household income ($52,537/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Trenton 49%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Trenton affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Trenton, NJ

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Trenton.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.