CountyScore

Cumberland County

New Jersey · NJ

#12 in New Jersey
48.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Cumberland County, New Jersey

Cumberland County slightly edges national median

Cumberland County's composite score of 47.4 edges past the national median of 50.0 by just 2.6 points, placing it in the middle range of U.S. counties. Strong housing affordability partially offsets weaknesses in income levels.

Above-average by New Jersey standards

Cumberland County scores 47.4, exceeding New Jersey's state average of 45.0 and ranking in the upper half of the state's 21 counties. This makes it an above-average performer compared to most Garden State neighbors.

Housing affordability leads the way

Cumberland County's cost score of 63.6 is its strongest dimension, offering median rent of $1,254/month and median home values around $205,600. This is the most affordable county in this group and appeals strongly to budget-conscious households.

Income levels significantly lag

Cumberland County's income score of 25.5 is the lowest in this group, with median household income of just $64,499—roughly 28% below the national average. Tax burden (score of 33.2) also presents a drag, though complete safety, health, and school data are unavailable.

Great for those seeking rock-bottom costs

Cumberland County is ideal for families and retirees prioritizing the absolute lowest housing costs and can accept modest incomes and modest tax burdens. It's the strongest choice for ultra-budget-conscious households willing to trade income levels for affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax33.2Cost63.6SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk17.4WaterComing Soon
🏛33.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.4
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 Cumberland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Atlantic County
New Jersey
49
Median income: $76,819
Orange County
New York
49.1
Median income: $96,497
Salem County
New Jersey
48.6
Median income: $78,412
Lake County
Illinois
48.5
Median income: $108,917
Rockland County
New York
49.3
Median income: $110,631

Deep Dives

Cumberland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cumberland County

via TaxByCounty

Cumberland taxes above national average

Cumberland County's effective tax rate of 2.455% outpaces the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the top 25% of counties. With more modest home values ($205,600), residents pay $5,048 annually—nearly double the national median tax despite lower property values.

Above average among New Jersey counties

Cumberland's 2.455% effective rate sits above the state average of 2.211%, ranking Cumberland in the upper-middle tier of New Jersey's 21 counties. The median annual tax of $5,048 is well below the state median of $8,512, reflecting Cumberland's lower home values.

Moderate compared to South Jersey peers

Cumberland's 2.455% rate exceeds Cape May (1.325%) but falls below Atlantic (2.475%), Burlington (2.419%), and Camden (3.075%). Among rural South Jersey counties, Cumberland offers a middle-ground tax burden.

Affordable taxes on modest values

A Cumberland County homeowner with the median property value of $205,600 pays $5,048 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $5,183, representing roughly $432 monthly—affordable even for modest incomes.

Assessment errors still happen here

Even in lower-value properties, assessments can be inflated through comparable sales errors or outdated valuations. Filing an appeal costs little and can save Cumberland homeowners hundreds annually—significant on lower-priced homes where every dollar matters.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cumberland County

via CostByCounty

Cumberland County struggles with affordability pressure

Cumberland County residents spend 23.3% of household income on rent, significantly above the national average of 18.5% and among New Jersey's worst affordability ratios. The county's median household income of $64,499 falls 13.8% below the national median of $74,755, creating a squeeze where modest earnings meet substantial housing costs.

New Jersey's most unaffordable rental county

Cumberland County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst in New Jersey, towering above the state average of 19.1% by over 4 percentage points. With median household income the state's lowest, Cumberland residents face the steepest relative housing burden in the Garden State.

Cheapest rents mask deeper income crisis

Though Cumberland's $1,254 median rent is the lowest among South Jersey counties, the household income of $64,499 creates the worst affordability ratio in the region. Atlantic County's $76,819 income and Cape May's $88,046 income give those counties cushion; Cumberland lacks this safety net despite matching low rents.

Both renters and owners shoulder disproportionate burdens

Cumberland renters spend $1,254 monthly (23.3% of income) while homeowners pay $1,437 (26.7%)—two of New Jersey's highest burden rates. The county's median household income of $64,499 simply cannot comfortably absorb $15,000+ in annual housing costs.

Cumberland requires income stability and household support

Cumberland County's lowest home values ($205,600) and rents offer entry points for cost-conscious buyers, but median incomes here demand employment stability and household support systems. Families considering relocation should evaluate whether local job opportunities and salary potential justify the county's below-average income profile.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cumberland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cumberland trails national income averages

Cumberland County's median household income of $64,499 falls 13.8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the nation's lower-income counties. This gap reflects limited job growth, agricultural dependence, and outmigration of higher-wage workers to surrounding regions.

New Jersey's income challenge

Cumberland's $64,499 median income is the lowest among New Jersey's major counties, trailing the state average of $100,891 by 36.1%. This substantial gap underscores Cumberland's economic distress and reflects systemic job market weaknesses that persist despite regional growth elsewhere in the state.

Significantly behind all surrounding counties

Cumberland's $64,499 median lags Atlantic ($76,819), Cape May ($88,046), and all other regional peers by wide margins. The consistent underperformance signals structural economic challenges requiring targeted workforce development and business recruitment.

Housing pressures strain household budgets

Cumberland's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio is the state's highest, indicating rent consumes nearly a quarter of household earnings, limiting savings capacity. The median home value of $205,600 is affordable in isolation, but low incomes make both renting and homeownership financially stressful for many families.

Prioritize emergency savings and skills training

Cumberland households should aggressively build 6–12 months of emergency reserves to weather income volatility and job disruptions. Investing in career development, technical certifications, and remote work capabilities creates pathways to higher incomes and reduced economic vulnerability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cumberland County

via HealthByCounty

Cumberland County's health crisis deepens

At 73.7 years, Cumberland County's life expectancy is 2.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 and a troubling 4.8 years below New Jersey's state average of 78.5—the worst in the state. More than one in five residents (22.2%) report poor or fair health, far exceeding national and state averages.

Worst health outcomes in New Jersey

Cumberland County ranks last among all New Jersey counties for life expectancy at just 73.7 years, dragging the state average with its 4.8-year deficit. Its 22.2% poor/fair health rate—the highest in the state—signals a public health emergency rooted in economic distress and limited healthcare access.

Dramatically worse than all peers

Cumberland County's 73.7-year life expectancy falls far short of all neighboring counties: Atlantic (75.7), Cape May (76.6), and Gloucester (77.1) all outpace it by 2-4 years. With just 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest statewide—and 135 mental health providers per 100K, the county faces severe provider shortages.

1 in 10 lack any health coverage

An estimated 10.3% of Cumberland County residents are uninsured, the highest rate in New Jersey and 2.8 points above the state average, leaving roughly 28,000 people without coverage. Combined with the lowest primary care density in the state (39 per 100K), this creates a double barrier to healthcare access.

Take action for your health today

If you're uninsured in Cumberland County, enrolling in NJ's marketplace is urgent—subsidized plans are available year-round. Call 1-855-877-NJ-HELP or visit NJ.gov/HealthCoverage immediately to secure affordable coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cumberland County

via RiskByCounty

Cumberland County: below-average risk

Cumberland County scores 82.57 on the composite risk scale, placing it below the national average and earning a relatively moderate overall disaster risk rating. The county's lower score reflects less acute exposure to multiple hazard types compared to many other U.S. counties.

Cumberland: lowest-risk New Jersey county

At 82.57, Cumberland County has the lowest composite risk score among all New Jersey counties, sitting well below the state average of 90.81. This makes Cumberland one of New Jersey's safer communities in terms of natural disaster exposure.

Cumberland significantly safer than peers

Cumberland County (82.57) has substantially lower risk than Gloucester County (86.64) to the north and Cape May County (91.03) to the east, positioning it as New Jersey's least vulnerable county. All three counties share hurricane exposure, but Cumberland faces lower flood and wildfire risks.

Cumberland's main hazard concerns

Hurricane risk (91.95) is Cumberland's highest hazard at 91.95, reflecting coastal and near-coastal exposure despite the county's overall moderate risk profile. Flood risk (88.40) and earthquake risk (87.21) pose secondary concerns, while tornado risk (54.04) is relatively lower.

Smart insurance for Cumberland

While Cumberland has the state's lowest overall risk, flood and hurricane coverage should still be prioritized given the 91.95 hurricane risk score. Review your homeowners policy to ensure comprehensive wind and water damage coverage appropriate to your property's location.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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