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Cost of Living in Princeton, NJ

Population 30,756 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$2,636
Median home value$1,050,600
Median household income$192,079

The median rent in Princeton, NJ is $2,636/month, 53% higher than the New Jersey median and 87% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $1,050,600, 216% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $192,079 a year, 85% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 16.5%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $105,440/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 5.5×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $5,312/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Princeton vs. New Jersey vs. U.S.

PrincetonNew JerseyU.S.
Median rent$2,636$1,720$1,413
Median home value$1,050,600$454,400$332,700
Median household income$192,079$103,556$80,734
Homeownership rate55.4%63.8%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher84.7%43.6%35.7%
Poverty rate6.1%9.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.3%6.3%5.2%
Work from home32.7%16.8%15.1%
Median age28.540.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Princeton, NJ?

The median gross rent in Princeton, NJ is $2,636 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

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

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $105,440 a year in gross income.

Is Princeton, NJ expensive to live in?

Rent there is 87% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 5.5 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

Massapequa, NYRent $2,631 · Income $181,846Bethesda, MDRent $2,469 · Income $192,237Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WARent $2,556 · Income $185,369Granite Bay, CARent $2,740 · Income $184,606North Bellmore, NYRent $2,554 · Income $181,662Belmont, MARent $2,527 · Income $183,137

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.

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