Cities › New Jersey

Cost of Living in Plainfield, NJ

Population 55,236 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,767
Median home value$410,800
Median household income$85,908

The median rent in Plainfield, NJ is $1,767/month, 3% higher than the New Jersey median and 25% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $410,800, 23% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $85,908 a year, 17% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 24.7%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $70,680/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.8×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,077/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Plainfield vs. New Jersey vs. U.S.

PlainfieldNew JerseyU.S.
Median rent$1,767$1,720$1,413
Median home value$410,800$454,400$332,700
Median household income$85,908$103,556$80,734
Homeownership rate44.8%63.8%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher22.0%43.6%35.7%
Poverty rate15.5%9.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate8.9%6.3%5.2%
Work from home6.8%16.8%15.1%
Median age32.440.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Plainfield, NJ?

The median gross rent in Plainfield, NJ is $1,767 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Plainfield, NJ?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $70,680 a year in gross income.

Is Plainfield, NJ expensive to live in?

Rent there is 25% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.8 times the median household income.

Other cities in New Jersey

Newark, NJRent $1,392 · Income $52,060Jersey City, NJRent $2,007 · Income $97,710Paterson, NJRent $1,548 · Income $55,997Elizabeth, NJRent $1,523 · Income $66,555Toms River, NJRent $1,731 · Income $100,137Trenton, NJRent $1,294 · Income $52,537

Cities with a similar cost of living

Hazel Dell, WARent $1,753 · Income $86,305Fountain, CORent $1,745 · Income $86,242Sacramento, CARent $1,779 · Income $87,321Port St. John, FLRent $1,771 · Income $87,736Kearns metro township, UTRent $1,744 · Income $86,968Northglenn, CORent $1,775 · Income $84,030

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Best AI Writing Tools for Marketers & Solo Founders (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.