CountyScore

Middlesex County

New Jersey · NJ

#14 in New Jersey
48.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Middlesex County, New Jersey

Middlesex lags the national standard

Middlesex County's composite score of 42.7 falls below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationwide. The county's moderate income levels ($109,028) don't fully compensate for affordability and tax pressures.

Slightly below New Jersey average

With a score of 42.7, Middlesex trails the state average of 45.0 by a modest margin. As New Jersey's most populous county, its performance reflects the broader affordability challenge facing the state's urban-suburban core.

Balanced income supports moderate living

Middlesex's income score of 54.5 reflects median household earnings of $109,028, providing solid purchasing power relative to the state average. This balanced income base enables many households to manage the county's moderate housing and tax costs.

Housing and taxes both challenge affordability

The cost score of 41.6 and tax score of 40.3 both rank in the lower half, with median rent at $1,810 and an effective tax rate of 2.204%. The combination leaves limited financial breathing room for middle-class households.

Suits established middle-class families

Middlesex works best for stable, employed families with moderate-to-above-average incomes who value suburban convenience and job proximity over dramatic housing affordability. It's less ideal for those seeking either small-town character or significantly cheaper housing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax40.3Cost41.6SafetyComing SoonHealth78.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome54.5Risk2.2WaterComing Soon
🏛40.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠41.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼54.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.8
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 Middlesex County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Illinois
48.5
Median income: $108,917
Suffolk County
New York
48.3
Median income: $128,329
Gloucester County
New Jersey
48.2
Median income: $102,807
Salem County
New Jersey
48.6
Median income: $78,412
Cumberland County
New Jersey
48.9
Median income: $64,499

Deep Dives

Middlesex County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Middlesex County

via TaxByCounty

Middlesex matches national tax rates

Middlesex County's 2.204% effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 2.11%, placing it slightly below the U.S. middle. The median property tax of $9,684 reflects New Jersey's premium home values, with the typical Middlesex house valued at $439,300.

Middlesex slightly below state average

Middlesex County's 2.204% rate edges just below New Jersey's state average of 2.211%, ranking it 10th lowest among the 21 counties. This near-average positioning reflects typical Jersey tax dynamics.

Middlesex nestles in the regional middle

Middlesex's 2.204% rate sits between Hudson (1.851%) and Passaic (2.276%), higher than most affluent northern neighbors but lower than Mercer's outlier 2.508%. Among central Jersey peers, Middlesex offers a mainstream tax profile.

A $439K home costs $9,684 yearly

The median Middlesex County home is valued at $439,300, translating to approximately $9,684 in annual property taxes. With mortgage deductions, homeowners effectively pay $9,783.

Appeal your assessment for potential savings

Middlesex homeowners can file a property tax appeal if they suspect their assessment exceeds fair market value. With 15-20% of Jersey properties typically overassessed, Middlesex residents should review their valuations against recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Middlesex County

via CostByCounty

Middlesex walks the middle ground

Middlesex County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just above New Jersey's 19.1% state average, with a median income of $109,028 and median rent of $1,810. The county's strong earning power—46% above the national median of $74,755—helps offset its above-average rent pressure.

Middlesex near Jersey's average

At 19.9%, Middlesex's rent-to-income ratio hovers just above the state average of 19.1%, placing it slightly below the affordability line of most New Jersey counties. With a median income of $109,028, residents here earn enough to handle the higher rents that come with central-Jersey location and transit access.

Higher rents than Mercer, better income

Middlesex's $1,810 median rent exceeds Mercer's $1,515 by $295, but Middlesex households earn $109,028 versus Mercer's $96,333—a $12,700 advantage that narrows the gap. Compared to Hudson's nearly identical rent ($1,811), Middlesex earners make more, easing affordability pressure.

Income advantage cushions higher rents

Renters pay $1,810 monthly while homeowners face $2,196, with the median household income of $109,028 providing above-state-average earnings to absorb these costs. Housing claims roughly a fifth of Middlesex income—manageable but noticeable in monthly budgets.

Decent affordability for mid-to-high earners

Middlesex works well for households earning $100,000+, offering solid income levels to offset central-Jersey rents and excellent transit access. If you're relocating with above-average income, Middlesex's suburban and urban options provide reliable affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Middlesex County

via IncomeByCounty

Middlesex County earns 46% above national median

Middlesex County's median household income of $109,028 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $34,273, placing it solidly in the upper-income tier nationally. This performance reflects a large, diverse economy with major employment centers and strong educational institutions.

Upper-middle income county in New Jersey

At $109,028, Middlesex County ranks in the upper tier of New Jersey's 21 counties, surpassing the state median of $100,891 by $8,137. The county's size and economic diversity support consistent above-average household earnings across numerous industries.

Middlesex outearns most nearby counties

Middlesex County's $109,028 median income exceeds Hudson County ($90,032) and Passaic County ($87,137), but trails Monmouth County ($122,727) and the wealthy northern counties. The income distribution reflects Middlesex's position as a major suburban and industrial hub with substantial white-collar employment.

Housing costs remain manageable

Middlesex residents spend 19.9% of household income on rent, just below the 20% affordability threshold and among the better ratios statewide. With a median home value of $439,300, the county balances solid income with reasonable housing cost burdens.

Invest aggressively in your future

Middlesex County's median household income of $109,028, combined with manageable housing costs, creates strong capacity for wealth accumulation through retirement investing and property ownership. Households should prioritize maxing out 401(k) contributions and consider diversified stock market investments to build long-term financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Middlesex County

via HealthByCounty

Middlesex exceeds US health benchmarks

Middlesex County's 80.2-year life expectancy exceeds the US average of 77.2 years by 3 years, reflecting strong community health outcomes. The county's 14.1% poor or fair health rate marginally exceeds the national average of 13.1%, indicating room for improvement.

Above-average life expectancy in state

At 80.2 years, Middlesex County's life expectancy outpaces New Jersey's state average of 78.5 years by 1.7 years. This positions the county among New Jersey's healthier regions.

Strong coverage and provider access

Middlesex County's 7.3% uninsured rate matches the state average and outperforms neighboring Hudson (10.4%), reflecting better insurance penetration. The county provides 90 primary care and 234 mental health providers per 100K, supporting accessible care.

Insurance and providers enable care

With 7.3% uninsured, Middlesex County's coverage rate is higher than state average, meaning most residents can afford preventive visits. The 90 primary care providers per 100K ensure adequate supply, enabling timely appointments across the county.

Stay insured, stay healthy

If you're among Middlesex's uninsured 7.3%, healthcare.gov and Get Covered NJ at getcoverednj.org offer affordable options. Coverage connects you to the primary care providers supporting Middlesex's strong health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Middlesex County

via RiskByCounty

Middlesex County ranks among riskiest nationally

Middlesex County scores 97.77 out of 100 for composite disaster risk, making it the highest-scoring county in this dataset and well above national and state averages. This exceptional risk reflects multiple significant hazards converging across a densely populated region.

New Jersey's single riskiest county

Middlesex County ranks as the most at-risk county statewide with a composite score of 97.77, outpacing the state average of 90.81 by nearly 7 points. No other New Jersey county exceeds this risk level.

Riskier than all adjacent counties

Middlesex County (97.77) substantially exceeds Hudson County (97.23), Mercer County (95.36), and Morris County (92.88). Its combination of coastal exposure, urbanization, and infrastructure density amplifies risk across virtually all hazard categories.

Floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes

Middlesex County faces the nation's highest flood risks at 98.86, driven by extensive waterfront exposure, coastal geography, and stormwater challenges. Tornado risk (94.50) is exceptionally high, earthquake risk scores 96.25, and wildfire risk (79.71) reflects significant forest and grassland coverage throughout the county.

Make disaster insurance non-negotiable

Middlesex County residents must secure flood insurance immediately—this is the single most important step, given the county's 98.86 flood risk score. Layer in earthquake, tornado, and wind coverage, and develop a multi-hazard emergency plan with your household.

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.