Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Madison, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.8% of gross income.
Madison rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Madison, NJ?
Median rent in Madison is $3,354 a month. A typical real estate agent in New Jersey earns about $73,450 a year, which makes that rent 54.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in New Jersey (~$73,450/yr) supports up to $1,836 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $3,354/mo, which is $1,518/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a real estate agent in New Jersey works roughly 95 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $3,354.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a real estate agent?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Park Ridge ($3,353/mo), Morganville ($3,352/mo), Montvale ($3,351/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.