CountyScore

Passaic County

New Jersey · NJ

#21 in New Jersey
44.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Passaic County, New Jersey

Passaic ranks at the lower end nationally

Passaic County's composite score of 41.2 trails the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom third of the national distribution. The county faces headwinds across most measured dimensions.

Lowest-scoring county in the group

At 41.2, Passaic's score is the lowest of all eight New Jersey counties profiled and well below the state average of 45.0. It represents the most challenging livability profile in this study.

Cost-effectiveness remains a bright spot

Passaic's cost score of 43.6 offers relatively affordable housing, with median gross rent of $1,553 (the lowest in the group) and home values at $439,400. For renters and budget-conscious homebuyers, these costs provide some relief.

Tax burden and income growth lag peers

Passaic's tax score of 38.3 and income score of 40.3 are both among the lowest, with an effective tax rate of 2.276% and median income of just $87,137. The combination of higher taxes and lower incomes significantly constrains household finances.

Best for cost-conscious renters only

Passaic County suits primarily renters and very budget-conscious households willing to accept higher tax rates in exchange for low rents. Middle-class families and would-be homebuyers should carefully weigh the tax burden against limited income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax38.3Cost43.6SafetyComing SoonHealth66.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.3Risk4.2WaterComing Soon
🏛38.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠43.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.2
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

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Compare Passaic County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Camden County
New Jersey
44.9
Median income: $86,384
Essex County
New Jersey
45.7
Median income: $76,712
Union County
New Jersey
46.5
Median income: $100,117
Hudson County
New Jersey
46.8
Median income: $90,032
Mercer County
New Jersey
47.8
Median income: $96,333

Deep Dives

Passaic County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Passaic County

via TaxByCounty

Passaic taxes exceed national average

Passaic County's 2.276% effective tax rate sits above the national median of 2.11%, placing it in the top third nationally. The median property tax of $10,001 reflects both an elevated rate and New Jersey home values, with the typical Passaic property worth $439,400.

Passaic ranks above state average

Passaic County's 2.276% effective tax rate exceeds New Jersey's state average of 2.211%, ranking it 6th highest among the 21 counties. Only Mercer County significantly outpaces Passaic in the tax burden hierarchy.

Passaic taxes higher than most peers

Passaic's 2.276% rate surpasses Hudson (1.851%), Monmouth (1.765%), Morris (1.796%), Ocean (1.773%), and Hunterdon (2.005%), matching only Middlesex (2.204%) and falling short of Mercer's 2.508%. Passaic ranks as the second-highest taxed county in this regional cluster.

A $439K home costs $10,001 yearly

The median Passaic County home is valued at $439,400, resulting in approximately $10,001 in annual property taxes. This bill remains stable whether a mortgage is present or not.

Passaic homeowners should challenge assessments

With Passaic's above-average tax rate, assessment accuracy is critical—roughly 15-20% of Jersey properties are overvalued on tax rolls. Homeowners can file a formal appeal with the county assessor if they believe their property's assessment exceeds its fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Passaic County

via CostByCounty

Passaic rents stretch median income thin

Passaic County's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds New Jersey's 19.1% average, with a median household income of $87,137 supporting a median rent of $1,553. While rents remain below state average, Passaic's lower incomes make the housing burden comparatively heavier.

Passaic struggles with affordability

At 21.4%, Passaic's rent-to-income ratio ranks among New Jersey's worst, well above the state average of 19.1% and higher than most neighboring counties. The combination of below-state-average income and above-average affordability pressure creates real housing stress for Passaic renters.

Lower rents than Hudson, lower income

Passaic's $1,553 median rent is $258 below Hudson's $1,811, but Passaic households earn $87,137 versus Hudson's $90,032—leaving Passaic renters with less breathing room. Compared to Mercer's $1,515 rent and $96,333 income, Passaic ranks less favorable on both metrics.

Owners face steep costs too

Renters pay $1,553 monthly while homeowners face $2,385—among the state's highest owner costs relative to income. The median household income of $87,137 must stretch across both paths, making Passaic's housing market challenging whether renting or buying.

Consider location and income carefully

Passaic County suits households earning $90,000+ seeking urban access and affordability, but renters should budget carefully with 21.4% of income going to housing. If you're relocating with higher income, nearby Mercer County's 18.9% ratio may provide better value for similar rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Passaic County

via IncomeByCounty

Passaic County earns 16% above national median

Passaic County's median household income of $87,137 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $12,382, placing residents modestly above the national average. This performance reflects a diverse economy with manufacturing, healthcare, and small business activity supporting middle-income households.

Below-average income in New Jersey

At $87,137, Passaic County ranks among the lower-income counties in New Jersey, trailing the state median of $100,891 by $13,754. The county's income profile reflects its mixed urban and suburban character, with significant immigrant communities and working-class employment sectors.

Passaic trails most neighboring counties

Passaic County's $87,137 median income ranks second-lowest in this cluster, exceeding only Ocean County ($86,411) while significantly trailing Morris County ($134,929), Hunterdon County ($139,453), and Mercer County ($96,333). The income gap reflects Passaic's position as an economically developing county relative to New Jersey's prosperous northern tier.

Housing costs exceed affordability targets

Passaic residents spend 21.4% of household income on rent, above the 20% affordability threshold and creating budget pressure for many households. With a median home value of $439,400, renters face greater affordability challenges than homeowners, constraining savings capacity.

Build wealth through persistent discipline

Passaic County's median household income of $87,137 requires intentional financial planning to overcome higher housing cost burdens and build long-term wealth. Focus on employer retirement plans first, automate small monthly savings transfers, and leverage lower property costs outside core urban areas to build home equity over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Passaic County

via HealthByCounty

Passaic County faces significant health challenges

Passaic County's 78.4-year life expectancy is 0.8 years below the US average of 77.2 years, and the county's 21.4% poor or fair health rate is the highest statewide and far above the national average of 13.1%. These figures reflect serious, population-wide health crises.

Worst health outcomes in New Jersey

Passaic County's 78.4-year life expectancy is below the state average of 78.5 years, and its 21.4% poor or fair health rate is significantly worse than any other New Jersey county. The county faces urgent public health challenges requiring immediate intervention.

Highest uninsured and lowest providers

Passaic County's 12.3% uninsured rate is the highest statewide—nearly 1 in 8 residents lack coverage—exceeding neighbors Hudson (10.4%) and Mercer (8.7%). With just 52 primary care providers per 100K, provider access is critically inadequate for the insured population.

Insurance and provider gaps drive crisis

Passaic County's 12.3% uninsured rate means roughly 140,000 residents cannot afford preventive or emergency care, compounding the county's high poor/fair health rate of 21.4%. The 52 primary care providers per 100K create bottlenecks even for insured residents seeking routine appointments.

Coverage is your first critical step

Passaic County residents without health insurance urgently need to enroll: visit healthcare.gov or Get Covered NJ at getcoverednj.org. While coverage alone won't solve the county's health crisis, it's the essential foundation for any path to better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Passaic County

via RiskByCounty

Passaic County carries above-average disaster risk

Passaic County scores 95.83 out of 100 for composite risk, placing it in the relatively high category and substantially above national and state averages. This score reflects significant exposure to floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other hazards.

Sixth-highest risk in New Jersey

Passaic County ranks sixth statewide in disaster risk with a composite score of 95.83, trailing only Middlesex, Hudson, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. Its score exceeds the state average of 90.81 by nearly 5 points.

Riskier than nearby Morris County

Passaic County (95.83) carries higher risk than Morris County (92.88) to the east and similar risk to Hudson County (97.23) to the northeast. Its position in northern New Jersey exposes it to multiple hazard types.

Floods and tornadoes dominate exposure

Passaic County faces flood risk at 97.84, among the state's highest, driven by river systems and precipitation patterns affecting the region. Tornado risk scores 88.80 and earthquake risk 88.64, while wildfire risk (16.06) is among the state's lowest.

Make flood insurance your top priority

Passaic County residents must obtain flood insurance as the single most critical protection, given the county's 97.84 flood risk score. Add earthquake and tornado coverage to your homeowner policy, and ensure your home has a clear emergency evacuation plan.

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.