salaryRent is higher than in 68% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 6.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 33.1 minutes each way. Most households rent (81%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,560 a year. That is $38 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 92 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Union City?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Union City
| Size | Union City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,310 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,578 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,757 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,037 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,606 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Union City 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 Union City, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Union City
Life in Union City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Union City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,283 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $471,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $47,160 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Union City, NJ?
Renting in Union City costs a median of about $1,989 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Union City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,560 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Union City cheap or expensive?
Union City is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.4% of the typical household income of $69,358. It ranks 92nd cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Union City?
The median homeowner in Union City pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 2.12% of the median home value.
Is Union City 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 Union City?
The median home value in Union City is $471,600, about 6.8 times the typical yearly household income.
66,463 people live in Union City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.