Can An Electrician Afford Rent in Newark, NJ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.6% of gross income.
Newark rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey state estimate).
About rent and an electrician salary
Electrician pay is competitive with many four-year-degree occupations and covers comfortable rent across most US metros. Union journeymen in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean once overtime and benefits are counted, which expands affordability further. At the national-average electrician salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,748 a month in rent. The per-city pages show where rent stays in range and where it begins to pinch.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Newark, which improves the affordability math on an electrician salary:
Compare with full rent data for Newark
View full rent data for Newark, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can an electrician afford rent in Newark, NJ?
Median rent in Newark is $2,130 a month. A typical electrician in New Jersey earns about $78,288 a year, which makes that rent 32.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an electrician afford in Newark?
Using the 30% rule, an electrician salary in New Jersey (~$78,288/yr) supports up to $1,957 a month in rent. Newark's current median rent is $2,130/mo, which is $173/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an electrician work to cover rent in Newark?
At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, an electrician in New Jersey works roughly 56.6 hours a month to cover Newark's median rent of $2,130.
Where is rent cheaper than Newark for an electrician?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Plainfield ($2,127/mo), Harrison ($2,124/mo), Lakewood ($2,124/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an electrician salary.