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ZIP Code · NJ

ZIP 08816

Pop. 49,360·Middlesex County·100th most expensive ZIP in New Jersey
Median rent (all units)
$2,598/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.7%
Month-over-Month
-2.3%
vs US Median
+$633
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 08816 · $2,598
More expensive than 82% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,000
1 BR
$2,200
2 BR
$2,760
3 BR
$3,310
4 BR+
$3,660
Research median
$2,760/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$31,176/yr
At $2,598/mo median
Location
StateNJ
CountyMiddlesex County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.7% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.7% YoY, -2.3% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 08816 (East Brunswick, NJ) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 58.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
49,360
Median income
$143,586
Median age
41.3
Renters
20.3%
Age distribution
25%
16.6%
28.5%
13.2%
16.8%
Under 1825%
18–3416.6%
35–5428.5%
55–6413.2%
65+16.8%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
48.2%
13.2%
29.4%
White48.2%
Black6.1%
Hispanic13.2%
Asian29.4%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
15.3%
19.2%
58.4%
No HS diploma7.1%
HS diploma15.3%
Some college19.2%
Bachelor's+58.4%
Housing tenure
79.7%
20.3%
Owner79.7%
Renter20.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 08816 in East Brunswick, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,024 → $2,598
up 28.4%
Income
$127,717 → $143,586
up 12.4%
Population
48,950 → 49,360
up 0.8%
Renter share
17.9% → 20.3%
+2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
58.5% → 58.4%
-0.1 pts
Median age
42.8 → 41.3
-1.5 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 08816 in East Brunswick, NJ has climbed by $574 per month, settling near $2,598 after starting the period at $2,024. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $127,717 in 2021 to $143,586 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 16.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 20.3% of households rent today, against 17.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 08816 in East Brunswick, NJ market of 2021.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 08816

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 08816 covers East Brunswick, NJ. The median rent here is $2,598/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,200/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,760/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($143,586/yr), ZIP 08816 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 08816?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 08816 (East Brunswick, NJ) is $2,598. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 08816 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 08816's median rent of $2,598/mo is $633 (32%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 08816 compare to other ZIPs in New Jersey?

ZIP 08816 falls in the middle range for New Jersey, ranking #100 out of 212 ZIPs at $2,598/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 08816?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,598/mo in ZIP 08816. The local median household income is $143,586/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 08816?

Rent in ZIP 08816 has decreased 1.7% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 08816 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 08816 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,598/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($143,586/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 08816 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 08816 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 20.3% of ZIP 08816 households are renters, while 79.7% are owner-occupied. ZIP 08816 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 08816 compare to the rest of East Brunswick?

ZIP 08816 is more affordable than East Brunswick overall. At $2,598/mo, it's $28 below the East Brunswick citywide median of $2,626/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 08816 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 08816 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,598/mo, rent takes ~22% of ZIP 08816's median household income ($143,586/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 08816 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 08816 (East Brunswick, NJ)

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