CountyScore

Bergen County

New Jersey · NJ

#9 in New Jersey
50.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Bergen County, New Jersey

Bergen County trails the national average

Bergen County's composite score of 45.0 falls slightly below the national median of 50.0, despite strong income fundamentals. The gap reflects the county's high housing costs, which offset advantages in earning power and tax efficiency.

Right at New Jersey's middle ground

Bergen County scores exactly 45.0, matching New Jersey's state average across its 21 counties. This middle-of-the-pack position masks a county of contrasts: wealthy residents and favorable taxes, but steep housing barriers.

High incomes and favorable tax rates

Bergen County's income score of 64.1 and tax score of 54.9 highlight its most competitive advantages: median household income of $123,715 (56% above national norms) and an effective tax rate of just 1.686%. This combination appeals to affluent professionals and established families.

Housing costs are a major barrier

The county's cost score of 32.7 reflects New Jersey's most expensive real estate market—median home values exceed $593,200 and gross rent averages $1,863/month. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting a fuller assessment of livability.

Perfect for high-earning professionals

Bergen County is built for affluent families and executives who value excellent incomes and low tax burdens and can afford premium housing. It's less suitable for middle-income families or those prioritizing housing affordability over career advancement.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax54.9Cost32.7SafetyComing SoonHealth82SchoolsComing SoonIncome64.1Risk2.2WaterComing Soon
🏛54.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠32.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼64.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤82
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Bergen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kane County
Illinois
50.6
Median income: $100,678
Westchester County
New York
50.7
Median income: $118,411
Tarrant County
Texas
50.7
Median income: $81,905
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region
Connecticut
50.8
Median income: $87,135
Hidalgo County
Texas
50.3
Median income: $52,281

Deep Dives

Bergen County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bergen County

via TaxByCounty

Bergen taxes are below national average

Bergen County's effective tax rate of 1.686% sits below the national median of 1.56%—a rarity among high-value Northeast counties. Despite homes averaging $593,200, residents pay $10,001 annually, which equals 3.7 times the national median tax despite the county's lower rate.

Among New Jersey's lowest rates

Bergen County ranks in the bottom 10% of New Jersey's 21 counties by effective tax rate at 1.686%, well below the state average of 2.211%. This efficiency reflects strong municipal management and is a major reason Bergen commands premium home prices.

Bergen's tax advantage is clear

Bergen's 1.686% effective rate crushes nearly every neighbor in the region, from Essex County (2.023%) to Hudson County's higher burdens. For high-value properties like Bergen's, this lower rate translates into thousands in annual savings compared to adjacent counties.

Premium homes, efficient taxes

The median home in Bergen County costs $593,200 and carries an annual tax bill of $10,001—substantial in absolute terms but remarkably efficient given the property value. That represents just 1.7% of your home's value going to taxes each year.

Even Bergen homeowners benefit from appeals

Despite Bergen's strong assessments, properties can still be overvalued during market fluctuations or due to assessment errors. Consulting a property tax professional or filing an appeal costs little but often yields five-figure savings over several years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bergen County

via CostByCounty

Bergen County shows surprising rental affordability

Bergen County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% sits below the national average of 18.5%, a notable achievement given that residents earn significantly more. The county's median household income of $123,715—65% higher than the U.S. median of $74,755—allows higher earnings to offset steep rents of $1,863 monthly.

New Jersey's most affordable county by ratio

Bergen County boasts the state's best rent-to-income ratio at 18.1%, beating New Jersey's 19.1% average. Though median rents of $1,863 rank among the state's highest, Bergen's affluent workforce keeps housing costs manageable relative to income.

Pricey rents, but income gap tells the real story

Bergen County's $1,863 median rent is $234 higher than Essex County's $1,459, yet Bergen households earn $47,003 more annually. This income advantage transforms Bergen's higher rents into a smaller burden—18.1% of income versus Essex's 22.8%.

Homeownership premium commands high price in Bergen

Bergen County homeowners pay $2,711 monthly—45% more than renters' $1,863—reflecting a median home value of $593,200, New Jersey's highest. At $123,715 median household income, monthly ownership costs consume 26.3% of earnings, a significant jump from renters' 18.1%.

Bergen attracts high earners despite steep home prices

If your household income exceeds $120,000, Bergen County's exceptional school systems and proximity to New York City justify the premium: rents are actually affordable relative to earning power. But renters looking to buy should brace for a $593,200 median home price—the state's most expensive.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bergen County

via IncomeByCounty

Bergen ranks among America's richest

Bergen County's median household income of $123,715 towers 65.5% above the national median of $74,755, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties by income. This exceptional wealth concentration reflects Bergen's proximity to New York City and its strong professional services economy.

New Jersey's income leader

Bergen's $123,715 median income exceeds New Jersey's state average of $100,891 by 22.6%, ranking it among the state's most affluent counties. Only a handful of New Jersey counties rival Bergen's income levels, cementing its position as an economic powerhouse.

Dramatically outearning surrounding counties

Bergen's $123,715 median income dwarfs nearby Atlantic ($76,819), Essex ($76,712), and even Burlington ($105,271). The income gap between Bergen and its neighbors reflects the county's unique position as a gateway to Manhattan's financial district.

Wealth unlocks homeownership easily

Bergen's low 18.1% rent-to-income ratio gives households exceptional flexibility for savings and discretionary spending. The median home value of $593,200 still requires substantial savings, but Bergen's high incomes make homeownership achievable for many families within 4–5 years of disciplined saving.

Leverage income for aggressive wealth building

Bergen households earning well above national averages should prioritize tax-advantaged retirement accounts, real estate investments, and diversified portfolios. High earners benefit from professional financial planning, estate strategies, and alternative investments that compound wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bergen County

via HealthByCounty

Bergen County leads in health outcomes

Bergen County residents live to 81.9 years on average—5.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1—making it one of America's healthiest counties. Just 12.6% report poor or fair health, significantly below national and state averages, reflecting strong healthcare access and economic stability.

New Jersey's healthiest county

Bergen County's 81.9-year life expectancy ranks first among New Jersey counties, a full 3.4 years above the state average of 78.5. Its 12.6% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the state, demonstrating exceptional health outcomes across the population.

Far ahead of regional peers

Bergen County's 81.9-year life expectancy outpaces all neighboring counties, including Essex County (77.7) and Gloucester County (77.1) by a significant margin. The county boasts 113 primary care providers and 328 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the densest networks in the state.

Lowest uninsured rate in state

Just 6.8% of Bergen County residents lack health insurance, the lowest rate among New Jersey counties and well below the state average of 7.5%. With robust primary care and mental health networks, most residents enjoy consistent access to preventive and specialist care.

Keep your coverage strong

If you're among Bergen County's small uninsured population, subsidized plans on NJ's marketplace make coverage affordable. Visit NJ.gov/HealthCoverage or call 1-855-877-NJ-HELP to secure a plan that fits your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bergen County

via RiskByCounty

Bergen County faces relatively high risk

Bergen County registers a composite risk score of 97.84, placing it well above the national average and earning a relatively high overall disaster risk rating. This makes Bergen one of the more vulnerable counties in the nation for multiple hazard types.

Bergen ranks highest in New Jersey

At 97.84, Bergen County's composite risk score significantly exceeds New Jersey's state average of 90.81, making it the highest-risk county in the state. This elevation reflects acute vulnerability across several major hazard categories.

Bergen stands out from peers

Bergen County (97.84) substantially outpaces Essex County (97.71) to the south and is far above most other New Jersey counties in overall risk exposure. Its perfect 100.00 flood risk score is the highest in the state, reflecting intensive water and surge vulnerability.

Bergen's critical hazards

Flood risk peaks at a perfect 100.00, making Bergen the state's most flood-vulnerable county—a result of its coastal and low-lying inland areas. Tornado risk (92.30) and earthquake risk (96.02) also pose significant threats, though wildfire risk is relatively lower at 21.66.

Essential coverage for Bergen residents

Flood insurance is non-negotiable in Bergen County given the maximum 100.00 flood risk score; federal programs like NFIP provide coverage separate from standard homeowners policies. Additionally, earthquake and tornado coverage should be reviewed with your insurer, as these aren't always included in standard plans.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.