salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (76%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $68,000 a year. That is $33 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 47 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Passaic?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Passaic
| Size | Passaic | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,295 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,316 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,663 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,971 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,362 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Passaic 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 Passaic, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Passaic
Life in Passaic
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Passaic?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,283 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $429,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $42,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Passaic, NJ?
Renting in Passaic costs a median of about $1,700 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Passaic?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $68,000 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Passaic cheap or expensive?
Passaic is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.2% of the typical household income of $59,718. It ranks 47th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Passaic?
The median homeowner in Passaic pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 2.33% of the median home value.
Is Passaic 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 Passaic?
The median home value in Passaic is $429,900, about 7.2 times the typical yearly household income.
70,002 people live in Passaic. Numbers are typical (middle) values.