New Jersey · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Monmouth County, NJ

Prices around Monmouth County, NJ run 12.6% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $124,845 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,328 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $93,120 a year.

Monmouth County, NJ at a glance

Median household income

$124,845$10,404 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,328HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)112.6+12.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity25¢per kWh · EIA Residential NJ
Population645,353Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Monmouth County, NJ?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,328Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$93,120To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$3,121At 30% of $124,845
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Monmouth County, NJ? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Monmouth-Ocean, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Monmouth County, NJ, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,676$20,112$67,04016.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,889$22,668$75,56018.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,328$27,936$93,12022.4%
3-Bedroom Home$3,043$36,516$121,72029.2%
4-Bedroom Home$3,371$40,452$134,84032.4%

Rent in Monmouth County, NJ, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Monmouth County, NJ

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $124,845 a year ($10,404 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$5,202/moRent ($2,328 2-BR), utilities (~$225/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$3,121/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$2,081/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $124,845 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.

$124,845
$45,000$250,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$124,845
Net 73%
Fed 15%
NJ 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$90,835After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,570Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,494Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate27.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$18,697 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$5,763 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,551 / yr

Living in Monmouth County, NJ: common questions

What is the median household income in Monmouth County, NJ?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Monmouth County, NJ is $124,845 per year (approximately $10,404 per month).

What is the average rent in Monmouth County, NJ?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,676 for a studio, $1,889 for one bedroom, $2,328 for two, $3,043 for three and $3,371 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 Monmouth 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 Monmouth County, NJ?

To keep a $2,328 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $93,120 a year, or $7,760 a month. That is 75% of what the typical household in Monmouth County, NJ earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Monmouth County, NJ?

On the local median income of $124,845 ($10,404 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $5,202 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $3,121 for everything else and $2,081 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,328 takes 45% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Monmouth 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.