salaryRent is higher than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.0 years of household income. Most households rent (79%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $85,280 a year. That is $41 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 128 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in New Brunswick?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in New Brunswick
| Size | New Brunswick | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,562 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,761 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,017 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,336 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,299 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is New Brunswick overall?
Everyday prices in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area are 13% above the U.S. average (index 112.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in New Brunswick
Life in New Brunswick
What jobs pay in New Brunswick
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $208,880 | 12.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $167,650 | 15.3% |
| Software Developer | $166,830 | 15.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,340 | 15.7% |
| Operations Manager | $157,000 | 16.3% |
| Pharmacist | $141,320 | 18.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $128,340 | 19.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $119,720 | 21.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,720 | 23.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,330 | 23.8% |
| Firefighter | $106,420 | 24.0% |
| Accountant | $105,650 | 24.2% |
| Police Officer | $105,540 | 24.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $100,520 | 25.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $96,900 | 26.4% |
| Electrician | $79,020 | 32.4% |
| Plumber | $78,610 | 32.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,990 | 32.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,910 | 33.7% |
| Carpenter | $74,300 | 34.4% |
| Truck Driver | $65,040 | 39.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,590 | 51.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,270 | 51.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $48,370 | 52.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,610 | 53.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $43,740 | 58.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,290 | 59.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,280 | 66.8% |
| Cashier | $35,950 | 71.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in New Brunswick?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $323 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $353,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in New Brunswick, NJ?
Renting in New Brunswick costs a median of about $2,132 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in New Brunswick?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $85,280 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is New Brunswick cheap or expensive?
New Brunswick is rated Expensive: rent takes 36.0% of the typical household income of $70,976. It ranks 128th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in New Brunswick?
The median homeowner in New Brunswick pays $6,316 a year in property taxes, about 1.79% of the median home value.
Is New Brunswick more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in New Brunswick?
The median home value in New Brunswick is $353,800, about 5.0 times the typical yearly household income.
56,345 people live in New Brunswick. Numbers are typical (middle) values.