CountyScore

Ocean County

New Jersey · NJ

#3 in New Jersey
53.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Ocean County, New Jersey

Ocean is New Jersey's top performer

Ocean County's composite score of 50.7 is the highest among all eight counties and surpasses the national median of 50.0. The county achieves rare balance between affordability, favorable taxes, and reasonable incomes.

Clear leader among New Jersey counties

Ocean's score of 50.7 significantly outpaces the New Jersey state average of 45.0, making it the strongest performer in the state among these eight counties. Its balanced approach across cost, tax, and income dimensions sets it apart.

Affordability and taxes are outstanding

Ocean's cost score of 52.2 and tax score of 52.4 are among the highest in the group, with median homes at $366,600, rents at $1,702, and an effective tax rate of 1.773%. This combination delivers genuine affordability relative to most New Jersey counties.

Income levels remain modest by state standards

Ocean's income score of 39.8 is the lowest in the group, with median household income of $86,411. While incomes are adequate, they're below most peer counties and can create challenges for families supporting larger mortgages.

Ideal for value-conscious retirees and families

Ocean County is perfect for retirees on fixed incomes, young families prioritizing affordability, and anyone seeking low taxes without mega-high incomes. It's less suited for those pursuing top-tier schools or seeking maximum earning power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.4Cost52.2SafetyComing SoonHealth77SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.8Risk3.8WaterComing Soon
🏛52.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠52.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.8
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 Ocean County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alameda County
California
53.3
Median income: $126,240
Contra Costa County
California
53.5
Median income: $125,727
San Francisco County
California
53.3
Median income: $141,446
Willacy County
Texas
53.5
Median income: $45,645
Williamson County
Texas
53.3
Median income: $108,309

Deep Dives

Ocean County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ocean County

via TaxByCounty

Ocean taxes rank in bottom fifth

Ocean County's 1.773% effective tax rate places it in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties, well below the national median of 2.11%. The median property tax of $6,499 is the lowest among these eight counties, reflecting both a favorable rate and more modest home values averaging $366,600.

Ocean ranks third-lowest in Jersey

Ocean County's 1.773% effective tax rate ranks third-lowest in New Jersey, behind only Monmouth (1.765%) and Morris (1.796%), and significantly below the state average of 2.211%. Ocean offers one of Jersey's most tax-friendly environments.

Ocean delivers lowest tax bill regionally

Ocean's 1.773% rate beats Hudson (1.851%), and nearly matches Monmouth (1.765%) and Morris (1.796%), while crushing Hunterdon (2.005%) and Mercer (2.508%). Critically, Ocean's median tax bill of $6,499 is far lower than any peer because homes are substantially less expensive.

A $366K home costs $6,499 yearly

The median Ocean County home is valued at $366,600, the most affordable in this county group, generating only $6,499 in annual property taxes. With mortgage deductions, homeowners effectively pay $6,776.

Ocean homeowners can appeal overassessments

Ocean County residents who believe their properties are overassessed on tax rolls can file a formal appeal with the county assessor. Since roughly 15-20% of Jersey properties are valued above fair market value, it's worth checking your assessment against recent local sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ocean County

via CostByCounty

Ocean County faces affordability squeeze

Ocean County's 23.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among New Jersey's highest, with a median household income of just $86,411 paying $1,702 monthly rent. This stretched affordability reflects Ocean's character as a working- to middle-class beach community where coastal living doesn't pay a premium wage.

Ocean ranks among Jersey's tightest

At 23.6%, Ocean's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds New Jersey's 19.1% state average, making it one of the state's least affordable counties for renters. Combined with a below-state-average median income of $86,411, Ocean residents face real affordability pressure.

Affordable rents, but lower income

Ocean's $1,702 median rent is competitive—cheaper than Hudson ($1,811) and Middlesex ($1,810)—but its median income of $86,411 trails most neighbors significantly. This income-to-rent mismatch creates Ocean's affordability challenge: reasonable rents on lower paychecks.

Renters bear the affordability burden

Renters pay $1,702 monthly while homeowners face just $1,630—a rare reversal where renters cost more than owners. The median household income of $86,411 stretches thin across both options, with rents claiming nearly a quarter of gross income.

Homeownership makes economic sense

Ocean County offers an unusual opportunity: homeowner costs ($1,630) actually undercut rents ($1,702), making purchase viable for households with strong down payment savings. If you're relocating to the Jersey Shore, consider homeownership to escape Ocean's rental affordability squeeze.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ocean County

via IncomeByCounty

Ocean County earns 15% above national median

Ocean County's median household income of $86,411 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $11,656, positioning residents solidly above the national average. This moderate advantage reflects a mixed economy combining retirement communities, tourism, and manufacturing with professional employment.

Below-average income among New Jersey counties

At $86,411, Ocean County ranks toward the lower end of New Jersey's 21 counties, falling $14,480 short of the state median of $100,891. The county's income profile reflects its significant retiree population and mix of working-class and middle-income households.

Ocean County faces income headwinds regionally

Ocean County's $86,411 median income ranks among the lowest in this coastal region, trailing Monmouth County ($122,727) substantially and falling below Mercer County ($96,333) and Hudson County ($90,032). Only Passaic County ($87,137) earns slightly more, reflecting Ocean's economic challenges relative to northern New Jersey's prosperous counties.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Ocean residents spend 23.6% of household income on rent, well above the 20% affordability threshold and indicating tight housing affordability. With a median home value of $366,600, residents face constrained capacity to save and invest after covering core housing expenses.

Start small, think long-term

Ocean County's median household income of $86,411 requires disciplined financial planning to build wealth amid higher housing cost burdens. Begin with modest contributions to employer 401(k) plans, establish an emergency fund first, and gradually increase savings rates as income grows or housing costs stabilize.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ocean County

via HealthByCounty

Ocean County life expectancy lags nationally

Ocean County's 78.1-year life expectancy is 0.9 years below the US average of 77.2 years, though still competitive. The county's 15.9% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 13.1% by 2.8 percentage points, signaling health challenges.

Below-average outcomes in New Jersey

Ocean County's 78.1-year life expectancy falls below New Jersey's state average of 78.5 years, ranking among the state's lower performers. The county's 15.9% poor or fair health rate is among the worst statewide.

Severe primary care provider shortage

Ocean County's 38 primary care providers per 100K is critically low—less than half neighboring Monmouth's 110 per 100K—creating major access barriers. The county's 5.8% uninsured rate is relatively good, but provider scarcity limits care availability for insured residents.

Provider shortage drives poor health

Ocean County residents face a critical shortage of primary care access with just 38 providers per 100K population, severely limiting appointment availability. Though 5.8% uninsured is relatively low, the few insured residents who obtain insurance struggle to find available doctors.

Coverage is essential but incomplete

If you're uninsured in Ocean County, healthcare.gov and Get Covered NJ at getcoverednj.org provide coverage options. While insurance is vital, Ocean County urgently needs more primary care providers to fulfill the promise of that coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ocean County

via RiskByCounty

Ocean County faces elevated disaster risk

Ocean County scores 96.15 out of 100 for composite risk, placing it firmly in the relatively high category and well above national and state averages. This score reflects coastal and environmental factors that create significant multi-hazard exposure.

Fifth-highest risk among NJ counties

Ocean County ranks fifth statewide in disaster risk with a composite score of 96.15, trailing only Middlesex, Hudson, Mercer, and Monmouth counties. Its score exceeds the state average of 90.81 by more than 5 points.

Nearly equal risk to Monmouth County

Ocean County (96.15) carries virtually the same composite risk as neighboring Monmouth County (96.31) to the north and substantially more than inland Morris County (92.88). Both Ocean and Monmouth face elevated coastal hazards.

Flooding and wildfires are critical threats

Ocean County faces exceptional flood risk at 98.20, driven by coastal exposure and low-lying terrain across much of the county. Wildfire risk scores an unusually high 95.23 for New Jersey, reflecting extensive pine forests and dry conditions, while hurricane risk (93.24) adds coastal storm exposure.

Flood insurance is non-negotiable

Ocean County residents must secure flood insurance immediately given the 98.20 flood risk score—among the highest in the state. Add earthquake and wildfire coverage to your policy, maintain firebreaks around your property if applicable, and stay informed about coastal storm warnings.

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.