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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Clifton

Clifton, NJ has 10 income-based rental properties totaling 1,023 units, offering a meaningful supply of affordable housing in a city where the median market rent is $1,711 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. Of the 4 properties with inspection scores on record, 3 rated excellent and 1 rated good, reflecting well-maintained conditions overall.

10
Properties
1,023
Total units
94/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,711/mo

Affordability in Clifton, NJ

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024), the median monthly rent in Clifton is $1,711, set against a median household income of $98,237 annually. About 40% of Clifton residents rent their homes, meaning income-based and HUD-assisted housing plays an important role in keeping options open for renters in this market.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
170 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Clifton Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 170 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Keep in mind that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and jurisdiction definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 76 · Very Walkable

Getting Around Clifton

The area around assisted properties in Clifton scores well for walkability and offers moderate transit and biking options, according to Walk Score.

  • Walk Score: 76 - Very Walkable - Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
  • Transit Score: 47 - Some Transit - A number of transit options are available.
  • Bike Score: 51 - Biking is a viable option for some trips.

Scores reflect the area surrounding the assisted properties in Clifton and may vary by specific location.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
20 schools · 2 districts

Schools

According to NCES Common Core of Data, 20 public schools across 2 districts serve Clifton, including 16 elementary, 3 middle, and 1 high school. Ratings and quality vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$98,237 median income

Cost of Living in Clifton, NJ

The median household income in Clifton is $98,237 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median market rent is $1,711 per month, which reflects how competitive the broader rental market is for renters seeking affordable options.

Affordable and income-based housing in Clifton can offer significant savings for eligible renters. Rents at HUD-assisted and income-restricted properties are set based on household income and area median income limits, not market rates.

  • Median household income: $98,237/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median market rent: $1,711/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Renter households: 40% of Clifton residents rent their homes (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Affordable units available: 619 income-restricted units across 6 properties in Clifton
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Environment and Flood Risk

All 6 affordable housing properties in Clifton have been mapped for flood zone exposure. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, according to flood data for these HUD-assisted properties.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 94/100(4 of 10 scored)
90+ (3)70–89 (1)No score (6)

10 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 10 affordable apartments in Clifton→

Other cities in NJ

› Affordable housing in Atlantic City› Bridgewater income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Camden› Cherry Hill affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in East Orange› Affordable housing in Egg Harbor City› Elizabeth income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Freehold› Hoboken affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Jersey City› Affordable housing in Montclair› Newark income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in NJ› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

A Closer Look at Affordable Housing in Clifton, NJ

Clifton has 6 HUD-assisted properties with 619 total units, and the inspection scores on record lean strongly positive -- 3 properties rated excellent and 1 rated good out of 4 scored. That kind of consistency is worth noting for renters weighing their options in Passaic County.

The broader rental market offers useful context. The median asking rent in Clifton is $1,711 per month according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), which underscores the real value that income-based housing can provide in this city. About 40 percent of Clifton households rent, per the same source, so renters are a significant part of the community here.

Getting around Clifton without a car is reasonably practical. Walk Score rates the city 76 (Very Walkable) and gives it a transit score of 47 (Some Transit) and a bike score of 51.

On safety, the Clifton Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents in 2024, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.

None of the 6 mapped properties in Clifton fall in a high-risk flood zone, according to available flood data -- a reassuring finding for renters thinking about long-term stability.

Eligibility & how to apply

New Jersey income limits (2026)New Jersey public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in New Jersey

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →