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ZIP Code · NJ

ZIP 08536

Pop. 20,817·Middlesex County·165th most expensive ZIP in New Jersey
Median rent (all units)
$2,131/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.2%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
+$169
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 08536 · $2,131
More expensive than 67% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,962/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,860
1 BR
$2,040
2 BR
$2,560
3 BR
$3,070
4 BR+
$3,390
Research median
$2,560/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$25,572/yr
At $2,131/mo median
Location
StateNJ
CountyMiddlesex County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.2% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 08536 (Plainsboro, NJ) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 80.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,817
Median income
$137,607
Median age
36.1
Renters
56.6%
Age distribution
24.2%
23.7%
33.8%
Under 1824.2%
18–3423.7%
35–5433.8%
55–649.4%
65+8.9%
Gender
49.9%
50.1%
Male49.9%
Female50.1%
Race & ethnicity
26.5%
59.7%
White26.5%
Black7.5%
Hispanic4.6%
Asian59.7%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
80.9%
No HS diploma2.1%
HS diploma6.1%
Some college10.9%
Bachelor's+80.9%
Housing tenure
43.4%
56.6%
Owner43.4%
Renter56.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 08536 in Plainsboro, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,651 → $2,131
up 29.1%
Income
$115,685 → $137,607
up 18.9%
Population
20,523 → 20,817
up 1.4%
Renter share
55.5% → 56.6%
+1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
78.7% → 80.9%
+2.2 pts

Rent in ZIP 08536 in Plainsboro, NJ has climbed 29.1% since 2021, going from about $1,651 per month to roughly $2,131 today. Census figures show median household income at $137,607 today, compared with $115,685 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 10.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 20,523 to 20,817 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 78.7% to 80.9%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 08536

Last updated: August 17, 2026

ZIP code 08536 covers Plainsboro, NJ. The median rent here is $2,131/mo as of August 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,040/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,560/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($137,607/yr), ZIP 08536 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 08536?

As of August 17, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 08536 (Plainsboro, NJ) is $2,131. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 08536 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 08536's median rent of $2,131/mo is $169 (9%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo.

How does ZIP 08536 compare to other ZIPs in New Jersey?

ZIP 08536 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in New Jersey, ranking #165 out of 210 ZIPs at $2,131/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 08536?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $85,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,131/mo in ZIP 08536. The local median household income is $137,607/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 08536?

Rent in ZIP 08536 has increased 1.2% over the past year as of August 17, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 08536 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 08536 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,131/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($137,607/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 08536 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 08536 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.6% of ZIP 08536 households are renters, while 43.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 08536 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 08536 compare to the rest of Plainsboro?

ZIP 08536 sits right at the Plainsboro citywide median of $2,131/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 08536 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 08536 reflects August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,131/mo, rent takes ~19% of ZIP 08536's median household income ($137,607/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 08536 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
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Public schools near ZIP 08536 (Plainsboro, NJ)

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