CountyScore

Camden County

New Jersey · NJ

#20 in New Jersey
44.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Camden County, New Jersey

Camden County ranks below national livability

Camden County's composite score of 39.4 falls notably below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The 10.6-point gap reflects significant headwinds in tax burden and income, despite affordable housing.

Well below New Jersey's average

Camden County scores 39.4, trailing New Jersey's state average of 45.0 by more than 5 points and ranking among the state's weakest performers. It faces steeper livability challenges than most New Jersey peers.

Housing affordability is the bright spot

Camden County's cost score of 56.9 delivers genuine housing relief, with median rent at $1,346/month and median home values around $262,200. This makes it the most affordable option for renters and first-time buyers struggling with New Jersey's typical price tags.

Taxes and incomes are significant drags

Camden County's tax score of 15.8 (the lowest among these eight counties) and income score of 39.8 are major concern: an effective tax rate of 3.075% and median household income of $86,384 both underperform statewide. Safety, health, and school data are not yet available to complete the picture.

Best for budget renters and price seekers

Camden County is ideal for renters and homebuyers with limited budgets who can tolerate higher tax rates and lower average incomes. It's least suitable for high earners or those seeking tax efficiency.

Score breakdown

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

Tax15.8Cost56.9SafetyComing SoonHealth72.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.8Risk6.8WaterComing Soon
🏛15.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠56.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.8
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 Camden County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Passaic County
New Jersey
44.4
Median income: $87,137
Essex County
New Jersey
45.7
Median income: $76,712
Union County
New Jersey
46.5
Median income: $100,117
Hudson County
New Jersey
46.8
Median income: $90,032
Mercer County
New Jersey
47.8
Median income: $96,333

Deep Dives

Camden County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Camden County

via TaxByCounty

Camden taxes rank among nation's highest

Camden County's effective tax rate of 3.075% places it in the top 5% of counties nationally—far above the national median of 1.56%. Residents pay $8,063 annually on median-valued homes of $262,200, meaning the tax burden is nearly three times the national average.

Highest-taxed county in New Jersey

Camden County ranks as New Jersey's most heavily taxed county by effective rate at 3.075%—39% higher than the state average of 2.211%. This reflects both higher municipal costs and legacy funding structures that place substantial pressure on property owners.

Taxes significantly higher than region

Camden's 3.075% rate dramatically exceeds all neighbors: Burlington (2.419%), Gloucester (2.809%), Atlantic (2.475%), and even Cumberland (2.455%). Only among the highest-taxed counties statewide does Camden have peers, underscoring its unique fiscal position.

Your annual tax bill here

A Camden County homeowner with the median property value of $262,200 pays $8,063 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $8,164, meaning roughly $680 monthly flows to property taxes alone.

Assessment appeals are critical here

Given Camden's high tax burden, challenging inflated assessments becomes especially valuable—every percentage point of reduction saves real money. Many Camden homeowners have successfully reduced assessments through appeals, recovering thousands in annual tax savings that accumulate year after year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Camden County

via CostByCounty

Camden County beats national affordability standard

Camden County residents spend 18.7% of household income on rent, below the national average of 18.5%, despite earning modestly above the U.S. median. The county's median household income of $86,384 combined with $1,346 monthly rent creates one of New Jersey's most balanced housing markets.

Among New Jersey's most affordable counties overall

Camden County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks well within New Jersey's affordability sweet spot, beating the state average of 19.1%. At $1,346 monthly rent, Camden undercuts the statewide median of $1,577 while maintaining healthy median household income.

Undercuts Atlantic and Atlantic beats Burlington

Camden's $1,346 median rent falls $21 below Atlantic County's $1,325 while earning $9,555 more annually, creating superior affordability ratios. Burlington County's $1,669 rent and higher income (19.0% ratio) means Camden offers better entry-level rental accessibility for cost-conscious households.

Ownership reaches deeper into household budgets

Camden renters spend $1,346 monthly while homeowners pay $1,767, a $421 premium tied to $262,200 median home values. With median household income at $86,384, renters allocate 18.7% of earnings to housing versus homeowners at 24.5%—a meaningful jump in financial strain.

Camden offers South Jersey accessibility and affordability

Renters and modest-income buyers will find Camden County's low rent-to-income ratio and home values under $300,000 compelling compared to statewide options. The county's Philadelphia-adjacent location and below-average housing costs make it ideal for households prioritizing affordability without abandoning access to urban employment centers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Camden County

via IncomeByCounty

Camden exceeds national income benchmarks

Camden County's median household income of $86,384 runs 15.5% ahead of the national median of $74,755, indicating above-average earning power. This position reflects Camden's urban and suburban mix with access to Philadelphia's regional job market.

Below state average, room for growth

Camden's $86,384 median income trails New Jersey's state average of $100,891 by $14,507, placing it in the lower-middle range statewide. The gap highlights income disparities across the state, with Camden experiencing slower wage growth than northern counties.

Competitive with Atlantic, behind Burlington

Camden's $86,384 income exceeds Atlantic ($76,819) and Essex ($76,712), but lags behind Burlington ($105,271) and Gloucester ($102,807). The variation reflects Camden's position as a transitional county between South Jersey's economic centers and struggling urban cores.

Rental affordability remains strong

Camden's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, preserving household cash flow for savings and essentials. The median home value of $262,200 requires roughly 3 years of gross income, positioning homeownership as achievable for families with modest down payments.

Strategic saving bridges the income gap

While Camden incomes lag the state average, households can build wealth through disciplined budgeting and consistent retirement contributions. Automating savings, leveraging employer matches, and investing in tax-advantaged accounts helps families close wealth gaps over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Camden County

via HealthByCounty

Camden County faces health headwinds

At 76.2 years, Camden County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 by less than a year but falls 2.3 years short of New Jersey's 78.5-year state average. One in six residents (16.2%) report poor or fair health, placing the county below state wellness benchmarks.

Below-average health outcomes statewide

Camden County ranks in the lower half of New Jersey counties for life expectancy at 76.2 years, 2.3 years below the state average. Its 16.2% poor/fair health rate reflects socioeconomic challenges and healthcare access gaps that affect overall population health.

Struggling next to healthier peers

Camden County's 76.2-year life expectancy lags nearby Gloucester County (77.1) and Burlington County (78.9), though it slightly edges Atlantic County (75.7). At 99 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Camden has solid primary care density but trails on mental health support at 402 providers per 100K.

Over 1 in 12 lack coverage

An estimated 8.4% of Camden County residents are uninsured, above New Jersey's 7.5% average, affecting roughly 43,000 people's access to care. While the county maintains 99 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, gaps in insurance coverage create barriers for preventive health services.

Get covered and stay healthy

If you're uninsured in Camden County, NJ's marketplace offers plans year-round with subsidies based on income. Visit NJ.gov/HealthCoverage or call 1-855-877-NJ-HELP to find affordable coverage that works for your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Camden County

via RiskByCounty

Camden County: moderate risk above national

Camden County scores 93.23 on the composite risk scale, positioning it above the national average with a relatively moderate overall disaster risk rating. The county's score reflects balanced exposure across flood, tornado, and other significant hazards.

Camden above New Jersey's average

At 93.23, Camden County surpasses New Jersey's state average composite risk of 90.81, placing it in the upper-middle range of state risk exposure. This reflects the county's exposure to multiple hazard types across its diverse geography.

Camden in a high-risk cluster

Camden County (93.23) sits between Burlington County (93.61) to the north and Gloucester County (86.64) to the south, with substantially higher risk than its southern neighbor. All three counties face significant flood and wildfire risks.

Camden's dominant hazards

Flood risk (95.61) and tornado risk (84.83) are Camden's primary concerns, with earthquake risk (93.83) adding notable vulnerability across the county. Wildfire risk (86.26) and hurricane risk (88.53) round out a complex multi-hazard profile.

Protection strategies for Camden

Flood insurance should be a priority in Camden County, particularly given the 95.61 flood risk score and the prevalence of low-lying areas. Additionally, review your homeowners policy for tornado and earthquake coverage, as these are often excluded or limited 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.