ZIP Code · NJ

ZIP 08638

Part of Ewing, NJ

Pop. 22,816·Mercer County·153rd most expensive ZIP in New Jersey

Median rent (all units)

$2,190/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

+$258

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 08638 · $2,190

More expensive than 70% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,340

1 BR

$1,540

2 BR

$1,940

3 BR

$2,330

4 BR+

$2,660

Research median

$1,940/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of New Jersey

Rent in ZIP 08638 changed +1.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 149 New Jersey ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($66,875) is $1,672 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,540); a 2-bedroom is $1,940.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 08610, 5 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,905/mo), about $3,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 08638. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$26,280/yr

At $2,190/mo median

Location

CityEwing

StateNJ

CountyMercer County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.9% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.9% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 08638 (Ewing, NJ) is majority owner-occupied, 32.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,816

Median income

$66,875

Median age

35.9

Renters

42%

Age distribution

20.6%

27.9%

26.5%

14.7%

Under 1820.6%

18–3427.9%

35–5426.5%

55–6410.3%

65+14.7%

Gender

47%

53%

Male47%

Female53%

Race & ethnicity

31.4%

43.9%

20.5%

White31.4%

Black43.9%

Hispanic20.5%

Asian1.9%

Other2.3%

Education (25+)

29.3%

26.6%

32.3%

No HS diploma11.8%

HS diploma29.3%

Some college26.6%

Bachelor's+32.3%

Housing tenure

58%

42%

Owner58%

Renter42%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 08638 in Ewing, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income

$60,185 → $66,875

up 11.1%

Population

23,960 → 22,816

down 4.8%

Renter share

42% → 42%

+0.0 pts

Bachelor's+

28% → 32.3%

+4.3 pts

Median age

38 → 35.9

-2.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 08638 in Ewing, NJ now reports about $66,875, up from $60,185 in 2021. Census counts show ZIP 08638 in Ewing, NJ losing about 1,144 residents over the five-year window, down 4.8% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 28% to 32.3% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 08638

About renting in ZIP 08638

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 08638 covers Ewing, NJ. The median rent here is $2,190/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,540/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,940/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($66,875/yr), ZIP 08638 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 08638?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $88,000/year (about $42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,190/mo in ZIP 08638. The local median household income is $66,875/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 08638?

Rent in ZIP 08638 has risen 1.9% over the past year.

How does ZIP 08638 compare to other ZIPs in New Jersey?

ZIP 08638 is one of the more affordable among New Jersey ZIP codes for rent, ranking #153 of 209 at $2,190/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 08638 changed +1.9%, against a typical +2.8% across the 149 New Jersey ZIP codes Zillow tracks.