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 | Salem County, NJ | 11.9 | 42.1 |
| 2 | Cumberland County, NJ | 11.8 | 25.3 |
| 3 | Cape May County, NJ | 8.8 | 38.9 |
| 4 | Atlantic County, NJ | 8.3 | 31.8 |
| 5 | Camden County, NJ | 7.5 | 32.1 |
| 6 | Warren County, NJ | 7 | 48.8 |
| 7 | Gloucester County, NJ | 5.3 | 41.7 |
| 8 | Ocean County, NJ | 5 | 47.4 |
| 9 | Sussex County, NJ | 4.5 | 53.4 |
| 10 | Mercer County, NJ | 4.4 | 35 |
| 11 | Burlington County, NJ | 3.8 | 46.6 |
| 12 | Essex County, NJ | 3.8 | 33.3 |
| 13 | Passaic County, NJ | 3.2 | 28.9 |
| 14 | Union County, NJ | 2.4 | 35.3 |
| 15 | Hunterdon County, NJ | 2.2 | 55.3 |
| 16 | Middlesex County, NJ | 2 | 41.9 |
| 17 | Monmouth County, NJ | 2 | 46 |
| 18 | Hudson County, NJ | 1.6 | 33.6 |
| 19 | Morris County, NJ | 1.4 | 52 |
| 20 | Somerset County, NJ | 1.3 | 51.4 |
| 21 | Bergen County, NJ | 1.1 | 48 |