Quick answer
Across New Jersey's top-scoring places the median home value is $445,700, rent $1,821/month and household income $110,472. A rough rule: buying the median home with 20% down needs roughly $116,000 a year in household income. Renting at the median needs about $72,840.
Median home value
$445,700
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,821/mo
Household income
$110,472
Violent crime / 100k
199
New Jersey, 2025
Population change
+0.6%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+7.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
4.0×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough, NJ | 91 | $411,400 | $1,898 | $142,275 | +2.0% |
| Fair Lawn, NJ | 85 | $532,700 | $1,908 | $147,952 | +0.6% |
| Ridgewood, NJ | 82 | $882,700 | $2,340 | $217,250 | +0.1% |
| Lindenwold, NJ | 76 | $168,300 | $1,265 | $55,099 | +0.9% |
| Toms River, NJ | 76 | $377,800 | $1,678 | $95,759 | +1.2% |
| Bergenfield, NJ | 74 | $469,200 | $1,744 | $124,083 | +0.2% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunterdon County | 83 | $498,800 | $1,707 | $139,453 | +0.3% |
| Somerset County | 79 | $523,900 | $1,921 | $135,960 | +0.4% |
| Morris County | 77 | $557,000 | $1,860 | $134,929 | +0.3% |
| Burlington County | 76 | $326,700 | $1,669 | $105,271 | +0.5% |
| Sussex County | 76 | $342,800 | $1,503 | $114,316 | +0.2% |
| Gloucester County | 74 | $283,500 | $1,480 | $102,807 | +0.6% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Can You Afford to Live in New Jersey in 2027?
Across New Jersey's top-scoring places the median home value is $445,700, rent $1,821/month and household income $110,472. A rough rule: buying the median home with 20% down needs roughly $116,000 a year in household income. Renting at the median needs about $72,840.
What are the best places to live in New Jersey?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring New Jersey cities are Hillsborough, Fair Lawn, Ridgewood, Lindenwold, Toms River, and the top counties are Hunterdon County, Somerset County, Morris County, Burlington County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does New Jersey have a state income tax?
Yes, New Jersey taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
