Quality education, rich culture, and less violent crimes have motivated approx 23% of people to move to New Jersey. But it’s not that easy for everyone. With a median home price of 534K, New Jersey can be expensive.
Should that stop you from moving to the Garden State? Absolutely NOT!
Cities like Vineland and Camden offer several budget-friendly options. While Vineland offers the cost of living 14.4% lower than the national average, the median home price in Camden is $139K.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, New Jersey has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in New Jersey!
4 Reasons to live in New Jersey 🏡
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in New Jersey is ~$494K. But you can get houses between $116K and $407K in cities like Camden, Absecon, and New Brunswick.
- Tax Benefits: Residents of New Jersey can claim an exemption ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 based on various criteria.
- Affordable Energy cost: Energy cost in cities that are listed below is up to 11% lower than the national average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than the national average. You can save up to $300 per month in rent.
Cheapest Places to Live in New Jersey in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $36,258 | $139,404 | 70,887 | 9.0% | 31.6% |
| Gloucester City | $71,756 | $227,798 | 66,041 | 8.0% | 11.6% |
| Vineland | $63,468 | $288,912 | 60,848 | 5.7% | 13.5% |
| Absecon | $73,141 | $326,438 | 9,134 | 11.6% | 9.2% |
| Trenton | $44,444 | $330,317 | 89,296 | 4.4% | 26.2% |
| New Brunswick | $57,138 | $374,074 | 56,032 | 4.2% | 31.9% |
| Highland Park | $58,659 | $535,946 | 68,446 | 7.6% | 18.4% |
| Atlantic City | $73,113 | $216,499 | 38,479 | 8.4% | 32.4% |
| Phillipsburg | $64,130 | $317,484 | 15,362 | 7.0% | 14.1% |
| Clayton | $91,711 | $287,903 | 8,994 | 7.3% | 2.6% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in NJ
The annual population growth of 5.3% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to New Jersey. If you’re considering shifting to the Garden State, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Camden
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 5.8%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $139,404 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,650 |
| 🌅 Known For | Camden Waterfront |
Camden is one of the affordable cities in the state of New Jersey. Its median house rent ranges from $982 – $5,700. It also offers affordable food, which costs 5.8% lower than the national average.
The city boasts historical landmarks, such as the Walt Whitman House and Camden County Historical Society. These landmarks add to its charm and character. Additionally, Virtua and Campbell Soup Company are the top employers here.
» Homes for Sale in Camden, NJ: Find homes in best cities to live in NJ.
2. Gloucester City
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 5.8%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $227,798 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,650 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Freedom Pier |
Gloucester City is one of the most budget-friendly rental destinations in New Jersey with an average home rent ranging from $500 – $3,200. It also offers affordable healthcare which is 5.8% lower than the national average.
Gloucester City is a great place for people looking to buy a home. It is ideal for people who work in the city but prefer a calm countryside home after a busy day. Apart from this, Walmart is one major employer in this city.
» Homes for Sale in Gloucester City, NJ: Search cheapest place to live in NJ.
3. Vineland
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 14.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $288,912 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,800 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Kacaba Vineyards Winery |
With rental costs below the national average, Vineland stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in New Jersey. The house rent price is between $1,250 – $3,700.
Vineland serves as a market center for agriculture, truck farming, and poultry raising. It also has a diverse manufacturing employer DWK Life Sciences which produces glassware for laboratories.
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4. Absecon
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 6.1%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $326,438 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,400 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Lighthouse and Community |
Absecon is one of the most affordable places to live NJ. With a median rent that is between $1,495 – $3,200. Moreover, the transportation costs are 12% below the national average in the city.
Absecon is close to Atlantic City, offering residents access to city entertainment while enjoying a quieter suburban lifestyle. Additionally, the city boasts a major employers like McCarthy Tire Service and KHS&S Contractors in automobile industries.
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5. Trenton
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 12.7% ⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $330,317 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,828 |
| 🎨 Known For | Old Barracks Museum |
Also known as ‘The Capital City,’ Trenton’s cost of housing is 21.7% lower than the national average. It is one of the cheapest cities to live in New Jersey. The average health expenses are 2.6% lower than the national average.
Trenton’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of the cheapest places to live in the US. Apart from this, Njm Insurance Group and Hutchinson are the top companies in the city.
» Homes for Sale in Trenton, NJ: Browse through thousands of properties in this city.
6. New Brunswick
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 4.1%⬆️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $374,074 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,200 |
| 🏫 Known For | George Street Playhouse |
The house rent in New Brunswick is between $660 – $4,500. With an average household income of $57,138, you can comfortably live in this city.
Situated in the heart of the state, New Brunswick enjoys proximity to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia. It offers easy access to employment opportunities and cultural amenities.
» Homes for Sale in New Brunswick, NJ: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in New Jersey.
7. Highland Park
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 8.1%⬆️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $535,946 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,500 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Rutgers University |
Highland Park is one of the best places to live in New Jersey. The annual expenditure on utilities for an individual amounts to $4,922.
Highland Park is famous for its peaceful atmosphere, Tree-lined Streets, and good schools. Highland Park residents benefit from being close to Rutgers University, a prestigious institution in the city.
» Homes for Sale in Highland Park, NJ: Search affordable places to live in NJ.
8. Atlantic City
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 21.6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $216,499 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,900 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Beaches and Oceanfront Activities |
Atlantic City, often considered as cheapest places to live in New Jersey. It boasts a lower cost of living of 6.1% than the national average. With a median home price around $216,499, it’s significantly more budget-friendly than pricier areas.
Additionally, AtlantiCare and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa are the top employers in the city. The city is also close proximity to Philadelphia one of the major cities in US.
» Homes for Sale in Atlantic City, NJ: Get yourself a home in best townships in New Jersey.
9. Phillipsburg
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 12.6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $317,484 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,650 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Bloomin Cottage |
The cost of living in Phillipsburg is 12.6% lower than the state average. This city offers affordability in housing of 6.2% and healthcare of 1.3% lower than national average.
Apart from this, school districts in Phillipsburg offers employment opportunities for educators and support staff. Additionally, INFINITT North America and Norwescap are top employers in the city for job seekers.
» Homes for Sale in Phillipsburg, NJ: Browse affordable homes in New Jersey cities.
10. Clayton
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to State Average | 15.8%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $287,903 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,000 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Historic Charm |
Clayton, NJ is an affordable place to live, but not the cheapest in the state. The cost of living are about 15.8% lower than the state average. It also offers affordable healthcare which is 6.5% lower than the national average.
Moreover, the city has rental home prices ranges between $1000-$2000. Apart from this, Aura Badge Company is one of the biggest employers in the city.
» Homes for Sale in Clayton, NJ: Find homes in cheap towns to live in New Jesery.
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The Bottom Line
The cost of living in New Jersey is 11% higher than the national average. It is also home to some of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you want to shift to New Jersey, you can find affordable housing in cities like Camden, Gloucester and Vineland.
Cities like New Brunswick and Highland Park have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with New Jersey’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes for Sale in NJ Under Your Specific Budget
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in New Jersey, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute, World Population Review, Rent Cafe, and Zillow.
FAQs
What is the cheapest place to live in New Jersey?
The cheapest place to live in New Jersey is Camden.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in New Jersey: Find out the other cheapest places to live in New Jersey!
Where is the best place to live in New Jersey?
The best place to live in New Jersey is Gloucester City, followed by Newark, Jersey City, Toms River, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Princeton.
Is New Jersey the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $534,939. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
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