True Cost of Renting in Camden, NJ

Camden sits across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, connected by the PATCO Speedline light rail (10 minutes to Center City Philly), the Ben Franklin Bridge, and multiple ferry options. It's one of the most affordable transit-connected cities on the East Coast, though it carries a historical reputation for challenges that major institutional investment (Cooper University Hospital, Rutgers-Camden, Campbell Soup headquarters) has been working to reverse.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Cooper Grant / Waterfront

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Revitalizing historic neighborhood adjacent to the Delaware River waterfront; proximity to Adventure Aquarium, BB&T Pavilion, and Cooper University Hospital. PATCO at Westmont or Camden stations. PSE&G electric. Newest investment activity in the city.

Rutgers-Camden Area / Lanning Square

Studio:
$800/mo
1 Bed:
$1,100/mo
2 Bed:
$1,500/mo

Near Rutgers University Camden campus; student population creates rental demand. Lower rents with ongoing university-adjacent investment. Walk to PATCO Westmont station. Research block-level safety. Cooper University Hospital is a major employer nearby.

Pennsauken / Cherry Hill (adjacent suburbs)

1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

Safer suburban alternatives adjacent to Camden; Pennsauken has an PATCO station. Cherry Hill is an established suburban township with strong schools and modern apartment complexes. Car required. Higher rents than Camden proper but significantly safer neighborhoods.

Utility Providers

Electric
PSE&G (Public Service Electric and Gas)
Water
New Jersey American Water
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Optimum

Commute & Transportation

PATCO Speedline connects Camden to Philadelphia's Market-Frankford Line and Center City stations in 10–18 minutes — one of the best cross-city transit values on the East Coast. NJ Transit buses and the RiverLine connect Camden to Trenton (north) and Wilmington/South Jersey (south). I-676 (Ben Franklin Bridge) and I-295 provide highway access to Philadelphia and South Jersey. Major local employers: Cooper University Hospital (7,000+ employees), Rutgers University-Camden, Campbell Soup Company headquarters, and the county government.

Rental Market Overview

Camden offers some of the lowest rents of any PATCO/SEPTA-connected community. The city has been transforming with significant institutional investment but retains challenges in some neighborhoods — conduct block-by-block research before committing. PSE&G rates apply. PATCO monthly passes to Center City Philadelphia run approximately $75–90/month (compared to $175+ for NJ Transit rail to NYC). Renters insurance is particularly important here — budget $22–32/month. Many younger Philadelphia-area renters choose Camden specifically for the transit value: Center City Philly in 12 minutes at rents 50% below comparable Philly neighborhoods.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Camden

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Camden: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Camden?
One-bedroom apartments in Camden range from $1,100/month in Rutgers-Camden Area / Lanning Square to $1,400/month in Pennsauken / Cherry Hill (adjacent suburbs). Two-bedroom units range from $1,500 to $1,900/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Camden?
In Camden, electricity is provided by PSE&G (Public Service Electric and Gas), water by New Jersey American Water, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Optimum. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Camden.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Camden?
Rutgers-Camden Area / Lanning Square is the most affordable of the 3 Camden neighborhoods covered here, at $1,100/month for a one-bedroom — $300 less than Pennsauken / Cherry Hill (adjacent suburbs), roughly a 21% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Camden expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Camden runs about $1,267/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Camden offers some of the lowest rents of any PATCO/SEPTA-connected community. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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