Essex County, NJ at a glance
Median household income
$80,789$6,732 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Essex County, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Essex County, NJ? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,612 | $19,344 | $64,480 | 23.9% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,822 | $21,864 | $72,880 | 27.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,205 | $26,460 | $88,200 | 32.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,761 | $33,132 | $110,440 | 41% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,137 | $37,644 | $125,480 | 46.6% |
What a typical income covers in Essex County, NJ
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $80,789 a year ($6,732 a month before tax).
What $80,789 leaves after New Jersey taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New Jersey tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in New Jersey
Living in Essex County, NJ: common questions
What is the median household income in Essex County, NJ?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Essex County, NJ is $80,789 per year (approximately $6,732 per month).
What is the average rent in Essex County, NJ?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,612 for a studio, $1,822 for one bedroom, $2,205 for two, $2,761 for three and $3,137 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Essex County, NJ expensive to live in?
Prices there run 12.6% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 112.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Essex County, NJ?
To keep a $2,205 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $88,200 a year, or $7,350 a month. That is 109% of what the typical household in Essex County, NJ earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Essex County, NJ?
On the local median income of $80,789 ($6,732 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,366 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,020 for everything else and $1,346 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,205 takes 66% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Essex County, NJ?
Homes in New Jersey paid 25¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $225. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.