ZIP Code · NJ

ZIP 07079

Part of South Orange, NJ

Pop. 18,539·Essex County·30th most expensive ZIP in New Jersey

Median rent (all units)

$3,094/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.5%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

+$1,162

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 07079 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 07079 · $3,094

More expensive than 92% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,270

1 BR

$2,570

2 BR

$3,110

3 BR

$3,890

4 BR+

$4,420

Research median

$3,110/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 07079 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of New Jersey

Rent in ZIP 07079 changed +4.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 149 New Jersey ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($195,417) is $4,885 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($4,420).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 07106, 2 miles away, rents for 33% less ($2,064/mo), about $12,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 07079. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$37,128/yr

At $3,094/mo median

Location

CitySouth Orange

StateNJ

CountyEssex County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (4.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.5% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 07079 (South Orange, NJ) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 77.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,539

Median income

$195,417

Median age

37.5

Renters

34.8%

Age distribution

21.8%

25.6%

27.8%

12.9%

Under 1821.8%

18–3425.6%

35–5427.8%

55–6411.9%

65+12.9%

Gender

52.7%

47.3%

Male52.7%

Female47.3%

Race & ethnicity

62.5%

17.3%

White62.5%

Black17.3%

Hispanic9.6%

Asian6%

Other4.6%

Education (25+)

77.1%

No HS diploma2.3%

HS diploma8.7%

Some college11.8%

Bachelor's+77.1%

Housing tenure

65.2%

34.8%

Owner65.2%

Renter34.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 07079 in South Orange, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,725 → $3,094

up 13.5%

Income

$158,333 → $195,417

up 23.4%

Population

18,450 → 18,539

up 0.5%

Renter share

32.9% → 34.8%

+1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

73.8% → 77.1%

+3.3 pts

Median age

35.3 → 37.5

+2.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 07079 in South Orange, NJ paid around $2,725 a month. That figure now sits near $3,094, up 13.5% from the 2023 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 07079 in South Orange, NJ now reports about $195,417, up from $158,333 in 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. The renter share has risen from 32.9% to 34.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 73.8% to 77.1% across the same window. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 07079 in South Orange, NJ reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 07079

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 07079

About renting in ZIP 07079

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 07079 covers South Orange, NJ. The median rent here is $3,094/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,570/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,110/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($195,417/yr), ZIP 07079 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 07079?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $124,000/year (about $60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,094/mo in ZIP 07079. The local median household income is $195,417/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 07079?

Rent in ZIP 07079 has risen 4.5% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2022.

How does ZIP 07079 compare to other ZIPs in New Jersey?

ZIP 07079 is one of the pricier among New Jersey ZIP codes for rent, ranking #30 of 209 at $3,094/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 07079 changed +4.5%, against a typical +2.8% across the 149 New Jersey ZIP codes Zillow tracks.