CountyScore

Hudson County

New Jersey · NJ

#17 in New Jersey
46.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Hudson County, New Jersey

Hudson below the national average

Hudson County scores 42.4 on the CountyScore composite index, falling below the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the bottom half nationally, though complete data on safety, health, and schools is not yet available to give the full picture.

Below average for New Jersey

Hudson's score of 42.4 trails the New Jersey state average of 45.0, ranking it among the lower-performing counties in the state. With limited dimensions measured so far, the county's full competitive standing may shift as additional data becomes available.

Tax burden is relatively light

Hudson County's effective tax rate of 1.851% ranks well on the tax score (50.2), offering one of the lower tax burdens among the eight counties examined. At $508,600, median home values are substantial but reflect the county's proximity to major employment centers.

Housing costs squeeze middle-class budgets

With a cost score of just 36.6, Hudson County ranks among the least affordable in the region—median gross rent stands at $1,811 per month. Median household income of $90,032 means renters and homebuyers face significant affordability pressures relative to local wage levels.

Best for transit-dependent urban workers

Hudson County suits professionals who prioritize short commutes and urban amenities over home ownership affordability, valuing lower taxes and proximity to jobs. The county is less ideal for families seeking affordable single-family housing or those weighing long-term property investment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax50.2Cost36.6SafetyComing SoonHealth73.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.1Risk2.8WaterComing Soon
🏛50.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠36.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.8
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 Hudson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Union County
New Jersey
46.5
Median income: $100,117
Mercer County
New Jersey
47.8
Median income: $96,333
Essex County
New Jersey
45.7
Median income: $76,712
Gloucester County
New Jersey
48.2
Median income: $102,807
Suffolk County
New York
48.3
Median income: $128,329

Deep Dives

Hudson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hudson County

via TaxByCounty

Hudson taxes trail U.S. average

Hudson County's 1.851% effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 2.11%, placing it in the bottom third nationally. Homeowners here pay $9,413 annually in median property tax—more than triple the $2,690 national median—because New Jersey homes are worth substantially more than the $281,900 national average.

Hudson ranks low among Jersey counties

Hudson County's 1.851% rate ranks 29th lowest among New Jersey's 21 counties, well below the state average of 2.211%. This favorable rate reflects the county's relatively high property values compared to its tax burden.

Undershooting Monmouth, beating Mercer

Hudson's 1.851% rate edges below Monmouth County (1.765%) and Morris County (1.796%), but trails Hunterdon County (2.005%) and significantly undercuts Mercer County (2.508%), which has the highest rate in this regional cluster. For comparable homes, Hudson offers a tax advantage over three of its five major neighbors.

A $508K home costs $9,413 yearly

The median Hudson County home is valued at $508,600, translating to approximately $9,413 in annual property taxes at the county's current rate. With mortgage deductions, the effective cost drops slightly to $9,499.

Many Hudson homeowners are overassessed

Studies show that roughly 15-20% of homeowners statewide are overassessed on property taxes. If you believe your Hudson County assessment doesn't match your home's market value, filing an appeal with the county tax assessor could reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hudson County

via CostByCounty

Hudson rents eat 24% of income

Hudson County residents spend 24.1% of their median household income on rent, well above the national average of roughly 28% for renters. With a median income of $90,032 and median rent of $1,811 per month, Hudson sits in a tighter squeeze than many parts of the country—paycheck stretched by coastal proximity and transit access.

Hudson ranks in top half statewide

Hudson's 24.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds New Jersey's state average of 19.1%, placing it among the less affordable counties in the state. While the county's median rent of $1,811 is $234 above the state average, its higher median income of $90,032 provides some cushion compared to lower-earning regions.

Pricier than Passaic, cheaper than Morris

Hudson's $1,811 median rent sits between Passaic County's more affordable $1,553 and Morris County's steeper $1,860. However, Hudson residents earn less than counterparts in Morris ($134,929) or Monmouth ($122,727), making the same or higher rents stretch thinner.

Renters feel the squeeze

Renters pay $1,811 monthly while homeowners face $2,523, leaving renters with relatively lower absolute costs but a steeper affordability burden. The typical Hudson household earning $90,032 annually dedicates nearly a quarter of gross income to housing, limiting options for savings, transit, or childcare.

Consider your housing choice carefully

If you're relocating to the Hudson area, test both renting and owning scenarios against your income—renters face the state's tighter affordability squeeze. Nearby Mercer County offers a 18.9% rent-to-income ratio and lower median rent ($1,515), worth exploring if you're flexible on location.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hudson County

via IncomeByCounty

Hudson County earns 20% above national median

Hudson County's median household income of $90,032 sits well above the U.S. median of $74,755, putting residents $15,277 ahead of the typical American household. This performance places Hudson in the upper tier nationally, though it reflects New Jersey's overall economic strength rather than exceptional county-level prosperity.

Below New Jersey's county average

At $90,032, Hudson County ranks in the middle of New Jersey's 21 counties, falling about $10,859 short of the state median of $100,891. The county's income profile reflects its diverse urban and suburban composition, with pockets of wealth alongside economically mixed neighborhoods.

Hudson trails wealthy neighbors by thousands

Hudson County's $90,032 median lags significantly behind nearby Morris County ($134,929) and Monmouth County ($122,727), but surpasses Ocean County ($86,411) and Passaic County ($87,137). The income gap highlights how proximity to New York City and local job markets create sharp economic differences across the region.

Rent consumes nearly a quarter of income

Hudson residents spend 24.1% of household income on rent, above the 20% affordability threshold and among the highest ratios in New Jersey. While the median home value of $508,600 reflects strong property markets, renters face tighter affordability constraints than homeowners in this densely populated county.

Build wealth beyond the paycheck

With a median household income of $90,032, Hudson County households have capacity to invest in retirement accounts and diversified portfolios after covering housing costs. Starting an emergency fund and automating monthly contributions to index funds can compound your wealth over decades, even amid rising housing costs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hudson County

via HealthByCounty

Hudson County life expectancy exceeds US average

At 79.9 years, Hudson County residents live 2.7 years longer than the US average of 77.2 years. The county's 16.8% poor or fair health rate is above the national average of 13.1%, indicating room for improvement despite longer lifespans.

Ranking near top in New Jersey

Hudson County's 79.9-year life expectancy outpaces New Jersey's state average of 78.5 years by 1.4 years. This places the county among the better-performing regions statewide for longevity.

More uninsured than surrounding counties

Hudson County's 10.4% uninsured rate significantly exceeds neighbors Hunterdon (4.4%) and Monmouth (6.1%), reflecting healthcare access challenges for nearly 1 in 10 residents. However, the county boasts 106 mental health providers per 100K population, ahead of state averages.

Primary care gaps affect daily care

With just 47 primary care providers per 100K residents, Hudson County falls well below the state average, making routine doctor appointments harder to secure. The 10.4% uninsured rate means over 375,000 county residents lack health coverage, creating barriers to preventive and emergency care.

Explore coverage options today

If you're among Hudson County's uninsured, healthcare.gov and New Jersey's Get Covered NJ program help you find affordable plans. Visit getcoverednj.org or call 1-844-NJ-GETIT to learn about options that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hudson County

via RiskByCounty

Hudson County faces above-average disaster risk

Hudson County scores 97.23 out of 100 for composite disaster risk—well above the national average and placing it in the relatively high category. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types across the county's urban and waterfront communities.

Second-highest risk among NJ counties

Hudson County ranks among New Jersey's most at-risk counties, with a composite score of 97.23 compared to the state average of 90.81. Only Middlesex County edges higher, making Hudson one of the two riskiest counties in the state.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Hudson County's risk profile (97.23) exceeds nearby Passaic County (95.83) and Morris County (92.88), though it trails only Middlesex County in the region. Its flood and earthquake risks are particularly elevated compared to neighbors.

Flooding and earthquakes dominate

Hudson County faces exceptional flood risk at 98.57—among the highest in the nation—driven by its coastal and waterfront location and aging infrastructure. Earthquake risk scores 95.29, reflecting the county's proximity to regional fault lines, while tornado risk (90.71) remains significant.

Prioritize flood and earthquake coverage

Homeowners in Hudson County should secure flood insurance immediately, as standard policies don't cover flood damage and federal disaster aid is unpredictable. Consider earthquake insurance as well, given the county's high seismic risk, and maintain updated home inventory for all hazard types.

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.