City Report · NJ

Wayne

·50th most expensive in New Jersey·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,877/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.4%
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
+$945
Reported rents
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wayne · $2,877
More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
48% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,877/mo, rent takes about 48% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$115,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wayne's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,730
1 BR
$2,010
2 BR
$2,300
3 BR
$2,830
4 BR+
$3,580
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 $2,877 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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of New Jersey

Rent in Wayne changed +2.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 121 New Jersey cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 5 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

Cheaper nearby

Paterson, 5 miles away, rents for 34% less ($1,889/mo), about $11,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Wayne.

Annual cost
$34,524/yr
At $2,877/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Community

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

Can you afford rent in Wayne on your salary?

At $2,877/mo, how Wayne rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wayne rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wayne

About renting in Wayne, NJ

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Wayne is $2,877/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,830/mo.

At 48% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Wayne ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Wayne?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $115,000/year (about $55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,877/mo in Wayne.

Is rent going up or down in Wayne?

Rent in Wayne has risen 2.4% over the past year.

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

Wayne is one of the pricier among New Jersey cities for rent, ranking #50 of 178 tracked cities at $2,877/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Wayne changed +2.4%, against a typical +3.1% across the 121 New Jersey cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wayne?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Wayne ($2,877/mo) include Paterson ($1,889/mo), Hawthorne ($2,607/mo), and Caldwell ($2,788/mo).
Income Affordability
48%
STRETCHED

At $2,877/mo, rent takes ~48% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wayne 48%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Wayne affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wayne, NJ

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