New Jersey Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 21 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,577/mo
Average Home Value
$402,957
Average Owner Cost
$2,096/mo
County cost atlas
New Jersey housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
21
Avg rent
$1,577/mo
Owner cost
$2,096/mo
Avg score
4.7
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in New Jersey: An Overview
The median rent in New Jersey is $1,577 per month, which is 36% above the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within New Jersey, housing costs vary significantly by county. Somerset County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,921 per month and a median home value of $523,900. Salem County has the lowest reported median rent at $1,185 per month and a median home value of $223,000.
The average home value across New Jersey counties is $402,957, 43% higher than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $100,891, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
Before comparing places in New Jersey, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in New Jersey
How median rents are spread across 21 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All New Jersey Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County | Expensive$1,921/mo | $523,900 | $2,461/mo | 1.3 | 29.0% |
| Bergen County | Expensive$1,863/mo | $593,200 | $2,711/mo | 1.1 | 29.0% |
| Morris County | Expensive$1,860/mo | $557,000 | $2,573/mo | 1.4 | 27.0% |
| Hudson County | Expensive$1,811/mo | $508,600 | $2,523/mo | 1.6 | 28.0% |
| Middlesex County | Expensive$1,810/mo | $439,300 | $2,196/mo | 2.0 | 28.0% |
| Monmouth County | Expensive$1,771/mo | $566,500 | $2,364/mo | 2.0 | 31.0% |
| Hunterdon County | Expensive$1,707/mo | $498,800 | $2,384/mo | 2.2 | 28.0% |
| Ocean County | Expensive$1,702/mo | $366,600 | $1,630/mo | 5.0 | 35.0% |
| Burlington County | Expensive$1,669/mo | $326,700 | $1,886/mo | 3.8 | 30.0% |
| Union County | Expensive$1,664/mo | $488,800 | $2,551/mo | 2.4 | 30.0% |
| Passaic County | Expensive$1,553/mo | $439,400 | $2,385/mo | 3.2 | 33.0% |
| Mercer County | Expensive$1,515/mo | $351,000 | $1,984/mo | 4.4 | 30.0% |
| Sussex County | Expensive$1,503/mo | $342,800 | $2,006/mo | 4.5 | 31.0% |
| Gloucester County | Moderate$1,480/mo | $283,500 | $1,875/mo | 5.3 | 30.0% |
| Essex County | Moderate$1,459/mo | $494,400 | $2,710/mo | 3.8 | 32.0% |
| Warren County | Moderate$1,368/mo | $323,100 | $1,779/mo | 7.0 | 28.0% |
| Camden County | Moderate$1,346/mo | $262,200 | $1,767/mo | 7.5 | 32.0% |
| Cape May County | Moderate$1,345/mo | $395,000 | $1,588/mo | 8.8 | 33.0% |
| Atlantic County | Moderate$1,325/mo | $272,700 | $1,675/mo | 8.3 | 32.0% |
| Cumberland County | Moderate$1,254/mo | $205,600 | $1,437/mo | 11.8 | 34.0% |
| Salem County | Moderate$1,185/mo | $223,000 | $1,528/mo | 11.9 | 32.0% |
Compare New Jersey to Other States
See how New Jersey counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in New Jersey?
What is the most expensive county to live in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in New Jersey?
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in New Jersey, New Jersey? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.