Cost of Living in Essex County, New Jersey
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Essex County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Essex County ranks #3,030 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 4%)
Sourced county brief
Essex County Median Monthly Owner Costs Reach $2,744
Median monthly owner costs in Essex County were $2,744 during the 2020-2024 period. This estimate is $618 higher than the New Jersey unweighted county mean for owner costs of $2,126. The median home value was also above the state unweighted mean, recorded at $524,100 compared to $430,014. For renter-occupied units, the official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was 32.8%, a figure that is 1.4 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 31.4%. The median gross rent was $1,531, while the median renter-household income was $51,273. These statistics represent a snapshot of the housing cost environment as documented by the American Community Survey and do not include predictions of future market movement. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Essex County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.8% of renter household income in Essex County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,531 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $2,744. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $61,240 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The New Jersey unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,635 per month. Essex County's $1,531 median is 6.4% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Essex County
Rent Burden
22.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,885
per month
Owner Cost Burden
40.8%
of gross income
The median home in Essex County may be a stretch
Median home value is $524,100. Estimated monthly cost: $4,184 vs. your max of $1,885.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Essex County, New Jersey?
What is the median rent in Essex County?
Is Essex County affordable?
How does Essex County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Essex County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Essex County, New Jersey? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Essex County
Whether you're buying in Essex County, New Jersey, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.