10 Most Affordable Places to Live in New Jersey

Located close to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia, coastal spots like the Jersey Shore, to landscapes like the Pine Barrens and the Delaware Water Gap, there are plenty of reasons to consider making the move to New Jersey. If New Jersey sounds right for you, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. For example, the median home sale price in New Jersey is $497,600 as of August. 

If that price doesn’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. Redfin has collected a list of the 10 most affordable places to live in New Jersey. And they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. Read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to in New Jersey.

#1: Camden

Median home price: $130,000
Average sale price per square foot: $94 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $925 
Median household income: $28,623 
Nearest major metro: Philadelphia, PA (5 miles)
Camden, NJ homes for sale
Camden, NJ apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $130,000, Camden is the most affordable place to live in New Jersey. About 5 miles away from Philadelphia, PA, the nearest major metro, Camden is home to roughly 71,800 people. Living in Camden, you can visit Wiggins Waterfront Park where you’ll find a riverfront promenade, amphitheater, and nearby Adventure Aquarium, discover the Battleship New Jersey museum, and explore the downtown area home to museums, shops, and restaurants.

#2: Trenton

Median home price: $225,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $145 
Median household income: $37,002 
Nearest major metro: Philadelphia, PA (30 miles)
Trenton, NJ homes for sale
Trenton, NJ apartments for rent

Taking second place on our list of affordable cities to live in New Jersey is Trenton. When living in this city of 90,900 people, you can stop by the New Jersey State Senate where you’ll also find the New Jersey State Museum and Old Barracks Museum. Make sure to explore the paths at Cadwalader Park and watch a show at one of the concert halls or venues.

#3: Vineland

Median home price: $270,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $169 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,075 
Median household income: $55,740 
Nearest major metro: Philadelphia, PA (40 miles)
Vineland, NJ homes for sale
Vineland, NJ apartments for rent

About 60,800 people reside in Vineland, located about 40 miles south of Philadelphia. The median home sale price is $270,000 which is about $100K less than the median home sale price in New Jersey. If you find yourself moving here, explore the downtown area or check out one of the parks in town. 

#4: Newark

Median home price: $383,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $207 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,837 
Median household income: $37,002 
Newark, NJ homes for sale
Newark, NJ apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Vineland is none other than Newark. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Newark. Make sure to explore the Ironbound District, check out museums like The Newark Art Museum, see a show at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and visit the expansive Branch Brook Park where you’ll find cherry blossoms in the spring.

#5: New Brunswick

Median home price: $397,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $312 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,360 
Median household income: $37,002 
Nearest major metro: Newark (28 miles)
New Brunswick, NJ homes for sale
New Brunswick, NJ apartments for rent

Consider adding New Brunswick to your list of cities to check out if you’re looking for an affordable place to move to in New Jersey. With 55,300 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life without living in a major metropolitan area. Living in New Brunswick, you can check out Boyd Park along the Raritan River, visit one of the theaters or comedy clubs for a show, or explore the downtown shops and restaurants.

#6: Toms River

Median home price: $400,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $262 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,899
Median household income: $80,145 
Nearest major metro: New York, NY (30 miles)
Toms River, NJ homes for sale
Toms River, NJ apartments for rent

A recognizable city is Toms River, where you’ll find the home prices are about $95K less than the state’s average. With roughly 95,400 people calling Toms River home, it’s a great area to consider buying a house in this year. Make sure to take a boat cruise along Toms River, explore the expansive trails leading out to the water at Cattus Island County Park, or have a beach day along the coast. No matter what neighborhood you move to in Toms River, you’ll never tire of exploring this city.

#7: East Orange

Median home price: $405,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $202 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,709 
Median household income: $50,990 
Nearest major metro: Newark (3 miles)
East Orange, NJ homes for sale
East Orange, NJ apartments for rent

Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable places to live in New Jersey is East Orange. With a population of about 69,600, East Orange is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as the major metropolitan cities in New Jersey. If you find yourself moving to this city make sure to explore Monte Irvin Orange Park or one of the other parks in town.

#8: Perth Amboy

Median home price: $405,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $276 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,700 
Median household income: $54,188 
Nearest major metro: Newark (22 miles)
Perth Amboy, NJ homes for sale
Perth Amboy, NJ apartments for rent

If you’ve lived in New Jersey for a while, chances are you know of our eighth city – Perth Amboy. This affordable area is home to roughly 55,400 residents. Be sure to visit the High Street Municipal Fishing Pier, stop by the historic Proprietary House dating back to 1764, and check out the shops and restaurants on and around Smith Street once you move to Perth Amboy.

#9: Plainfield

Median home price: $411,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $286 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,900 
Median household income: $58,400 
Nearest major metro: Newark (18 miles)
Plainfield, NJ homes for sale
Plainfield, NJ apartments for rent

Another great place to consider moving to in New Jersey is Plainfield where the population is about 54,600. Fun activities to do in Plainfield include exploring parks like Cedar Brook Park and Green Brook Park, seeing some of the historic homes throughout Plainfield, and checking out the charming downtown area.

#10: Elizabeth

Median home price: $420,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $275 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,350 
Median household income: $50,647 
Nearest major metro: Newark (6 miles)
Elizabeth, NJ homes for sale
Elizabeth, NJ apartments for rent

Claiming the 10th spot on our list of affordable places to live in New Jersey is Elizabeth, home to about 137,300 residents. You can check out Elizabeth River Parkway and Mattano Park, see a show at Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center, and visit the Union Square area of town where you’ll find shops and restaurants. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in Elizabeth.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in New Jersey. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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