ZIP Code · NJ

ZIP 08859

Part of Parlin, NJ

Pop. 25,448·Middlesex County·37th most expensive ZIP in New Jersey

Median rent (all units)

$3,014/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.1%

Month-over-Month

-0.8%

vs US Median

+$1,082

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 08859 · $3,014

More expensive than 91% 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

$1,570

1 BR

$1,730

2 BR

$2,170

3 BR

$2,600

4 BR+

$2,880

Research median

$2,170/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 08859 changed +4.1% 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 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($99,882) is $2,497 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,170); a 3-bedroom is $2,600.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 08879, 1 mile away, rents for 17% less ($2,501/mo), about $6,200 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 08859. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$36,168/yr

At $3,014/mo median

Location

CityParlin

StateNJ

CountyMiddlesex County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (4.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.1% YoY, -0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 08859 (Parlin, NJ) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 37.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

25,448

Median income

$99,882

Median age

39.1

Renters

41.6%

Age distribution

22.9%

22.1%

28.1%

12.7%

14.2%

Under 1822.9%

18–3422.1%

35–5428.1%

55–6412.7%

65+14.2%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

48.6%

16.7%

19.9%

18.1%

White48.6%

Black16.7%

Hispanic19.9%

Asian18.1%

Education (25+)

32.7%

24%

37.6%

No HS diploma5.7%

HS diploma32.7%

Some college24%

Bachelor's+37.6%

Housing tenure

58.4%

41.6%

Owner58.4%

Renter41.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 08859 in Parlin, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income

$89,881 → $99,882

up 11.1%

Population

24,408 → 25,448

up 4.3%

Renter share

40% → 41.6%

+1.6 pts

Bachelor's+

41.3% → 37.6%

-3.7 pts

Median age

38.6 → 39.1

+0.5 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 08859 in Parlin, NJ now reports about $99,882, up from $89,881 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 24,408 to 25,448 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.3% change. About 41.6% of households rent today, against 40% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 41.3% to 37.6%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 08859

About renting in ZIP 08859

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 08859 covers Parlin, NJ. The median rent here is $3,014/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,730/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,170/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($99,882/yr), ZIP 08859 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 08859?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $121,000/year (about $58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,014/mo in ZIP 08859. The local median household income is $99,882/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 08859?

Rent in ZIP 08859 has risen 4.1% over the past year.

How does ZIP 08859 compare to other ZIPs in New Jersey?

ZIP 08859 is one of the pricier among New Jersey ZIP codes for rent, ranking #37 of 209 at $3,014/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 08859 changed +4.1%, against a typical +2.8% across the 149 New Jersey ZIP codes Zillow tracks.