10 Most Affordable Places to Live in New Jersey
Experience all New Jersey offers without breaking the bank. Here are 10 cities with the cheapest rent in the state.
Paterson is attractive to renters for many reasons, the first being its close proximity to all that New York City has to offer, from the world-class amenities to the major employers and everything in between. Paterson offers plenty of culture itself, boasting a wide range of international cuisines and shops in its walkable downtown area. Paterson’s history in the textile industry dates back to the 19th century, when the city was a dominant center for silk production, earning the nickname the “Silk City.” Today, Paterson is home to a wide variety of businesses and industries.
Among Paterson’s many unique districts is the Great Falls Historic District, which has seen tired warehouses converted into comfortable, modern apartments available for rent. The city is considered an unsung repository of American history and culture, brimming with teachable sites and old-world charm. Paterson’s Great Falls National Historical Park even served as a primary power supply during the city’s early industrial boom in the 18th century, and now provides great opportunities for hiking.
William Paterson University calls the city home, offering the local community access to cultural events like concerts, stage plays, and exhibitions throughout the year. Paterson residents enjoy perusing the community farmers market, in addition to the popular Westfield Garden State Plaza and several nearby outlet malls. Convenience to Interstate 80 and Paterson Station makes commuting and traveling from Paterson simple.
As of April 2025, the average apartment rent in Paterson, NJ is $1,061 for a studio, $1,400 for one bedroom, $1,823 for two bedrooms, and $2,134 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Paterson has increased by 2.0% in the past year.
Experience all New Jersey offers without breaking the bank. Here are 10 cities with the cheapest rent in the state.
Very Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.
Good Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
The area around this property has good transit with many nearby transportation options.
Somewhat Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.
Public
Grades PK-8
484 Students
Norman S. Weir Elementary School
Public
Grades K-8
262 Students
Public
Grades K-5
238 Students
Public
Grades K-5
785 Students
Public
Grades K-4
343 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
484 Students
Norman S. Weir Elementary School
Public
Grades K-8
262 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
564 Students
Public
Grades K-8
485 Students
Public
Grades K-8
454 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
694 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
202 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,053 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
295 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
252 Students
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.