salaryRent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 32.2 minutes each way. Most homes (80.8%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,000 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Jersey cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New Jersey. It is number 17 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Clayton?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Clayton
| Size | Clayton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,278 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,359 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,369 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Clayton overall?
Everyday prices in New Jersey overall are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Clayton, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Clayton
Life in Clayton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Clayton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $376 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $252,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,230 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Clayton, NJ?
Renting in Clayton costs a median of about $1,375 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Clayton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,000 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Clayton cheap or expensive?
Clayton is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.9% of the typical household income of $97,361. It ranks 17th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Clayton?
The median homeowner in Clayton pays $6,660 a year in property taxes, about 2.64% of the median home value.
Is Clayton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Jersey are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Clayton?
The median home value in Clayton is $252,300, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
8,921 people live in Clayton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.