Rent, home prices, and cost of living in New Jersey
New Jersey is not one housing market. Compare renter and buyer costs, then filter 292 cities by the constraints that matter to your move.
Major cities in New Jersey
Tax context: top income-tax rate 10.75%, estimated combined sales tax 6.6%, property-tax proxy 2.47%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow/Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill.
Frequently asked questions about New Jersey
New Jersey housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in New Jersey?+
Among the cities we track, Salem stands out as the most affordable option in New Jersey. The median home value there is $69,300, and monthly rent typically runs around $992. The local median household income is $40,650, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in New Jersey?+
Englewood Cliffs is currently the priciest market in NJ. Homes there are valued at a median of $1,691,402, and renters can expect to pay around $3,545/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $222,192 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in New Jersey?+
New Jersey uses a progressive model; 10.75% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 2.47% and is not an individual bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is 6.6%.
How much does housing vary across New Jersey?+
There's a huge range. In Salem, the median home costs around $69,300. In Englewood Cliffs, that number jumps to $1,691,402 — roughly 23x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $992/month vs. $3,545/month. Where you choose to settle within NJ can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is New Jersey a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. New Jersey has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $69,300 in lower-cost tracked places to $1,691,402 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in NJ.