salaryRent is higher than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $86,760 a year. That is $42 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 134 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Somerville?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Somerville
| Size | Somerville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,700 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,932 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,028 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,547 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,930 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Somerville 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 Somerville, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Somerville
Life in Somerville
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Somerville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $854 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $435,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $43,570 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Somerville, NJ?
Renting in Somerville costs a median of about $2,169 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Somerville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $86,760 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Somerville cheap or expensive?
Somerville is rated OK: rent takes 23.3% of the typical household income of $111,905. It ranks 134th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Somerville?
The median homeowner in Somerville pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 2.30% of the median home value.
Is Somerville 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 Somerville?
The median home value in Somerville is $435,700, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
13,410 people live in Somerville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.