Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Plainfield

Affordability in Plainfield, NJ

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024), the median gross rent in Plainfield is $1,767 per month, against a median household income of $85,908 per year, and 55% of residents rent their homes. With more than half of households renting, income-based and HUD-assisted housing can play an important role in keeping costs manageable for lower-income renters in the city.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Plainfield Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 411 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting methods and local definitions.

Getting Around Plainfield

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Plainfield scores 84 (Very Walkable), 47 for Transit (Some Transit), and 55 for Bikeability. These scores reflect conditions near the 9 assisted properties in the city.

Schools

According to the NCES Common Core of Data, 20 public schools across 6 districts serve Plainfield, including 11 elementary, 2 middle, and 7 high schools. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

Cost of Living in Plainfield, NJ

The median household income in Plainfield is $85,908 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. Affordable and income-based housing programs tie rent to a percentage of local income, which can make a meaningful difference for households earning well below that figure.

The citywide median rent is $1,767 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. Rent-restricted units at HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties in Plainfield are typically set well below that market rate, depending on the program and household income level.

• Median household income: $85,908/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median market rent: $1,767/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Renters: 55% of occupied households are renter-occupied (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Affordable units available: 594 income-restricted units across 9 properties in the city

Environment & Flood Risk

Of the 9 HUD-assisted properties in Plainfield that were mapped for flood exposure, 1 falls in a high-risk flood zone and 8 do not. Renters interested in a specific property should check its flood zone status directly, as risk varies by location.