Cost of Living · New Jersey
Most Affordable Counties in New Jersey 2026
Ranked by housing affordability including median rent and home values.
Top 10 — Cost of Living in New Jersey
Score reflects cost of living only — not overall county quality.
All New Jersey Counties — Cost of Living Rankings
21 counties ranked by cost of living score. Overall Score shown for context.
| # | County | Cost of Living Score | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland County, NJ | 13.3 | 25.8 |
| 2 | Salem County, NJ | 11.8 | 42 |
| 3 | Cape May County, NJ | 9.4 | 39.4 |
| 4 | Atlantic County, NJ | 8.7 | 31.9 |
| 5 | Camden County, NJ | 7.6 | 32.1 |
| 6 | Warren County, NJ | 7.4 | 48.9 |
| 7 | Gloucester County, NJ | 5.7 | 41.8 |
| 8 | Ocean County, NJ | 5.3 | 47.8 |
| 9 | Sussex County, NJ | 4.7 | 53.5 |
| 10 | Mercer County, NJ | 4.4 | 35.1 |
| 11 | Burlington County, NJ | 3.9 | 46.6 |
| 12 | Essex County, NJ | 3.9 | 33.5 |
| 13 | Passaic County, NJ | 3.4 | 28.8 |
| 14 | Hunterdon County, NJ | 3 | 55.4 |
| 15 | Union County, NJ | 2.3 | 35.4 |
| 16 | Middlesex County, NJ | 2.2 | 41.9 |
| 17 | Monmouth County, NJ | 2 | 46.2 |
| 18 | Morris County, NJ | 1.6 | 52.2 |
| 19 | Hudson County, NJ | 1.5 | 33.6 |
| 20 | Bergen County, NJ | 1.3 | 48.1 |
| 21 | Somerset County, NJ | 1.2 | 51.4 |