CountyScore

Warren County

New Jersey · NJ

#6 in New Jersey
52
County Score

County Report Card

About Warren County, New Jersey

Warren slightly edges the national baseline

Warren County's composite score of 45.9 approaches the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties. The county performs slightly better than most of its New Jersey neighbors, though still below the top national quartile.

Just above New Jersey's average

Warren's score of 45.9 edges ahead of the state average of 45.0, making it one of New Jersey's slightly better-performing counties. Within the state, Warren occupies a modest competitive position, neither leading nor lagging significantly.

Strong housing affordability and value

Warren's standout strength is cost: a median home value of $323,100 and median rent of $1,368/month combine to a cost score of 56.3, offering genuine affordability. For New Jersey, these figures represent realistic entry points for working and middle-class families.

Lower incomes and moderate tax burden

Warren's income score of 48.4 reflects a median household income of $99,596, trailing wealthier counties and limiting household purchasing power. Its tax score of 31.3 and effective tax rate of 2.524% are moderate but not exceptional compared to peers.

Ideal for working families seeking affordability

Warren County fits working-class and lower-middle-class families seeking authentic affordability and homeownership opportunity in New Jersey. It's a solid choice for those prioritizing housing costs over income levels or seeking a rural-adjacent lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax31.3Cost56.3SafetyComing SoonHealth79.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome48.4Risk19.2WaterComing Soon
🏛31.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠56.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼48.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.2
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 Warren County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

McHenry County
Illinois
51.8
Median income: $102,836
Monmouth County
New Jersey
52.2
Median income: $122,727
Travis County
Texas
52.2
Median income: $97,169
Will County
Illinois
51.7
Median income: $107,799
Morris County
New Jersey
52.3
Median income: $134,929

Deep Dives

Warren County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Warren County

via TaxByCounty

Warren's taxes rank among highest nationally

Warren County's effective tax rate of 2.52% nearly triples the national median of 0.95%, placing it in the top 20% of counties for property tax burden. The median tax bill of $8,156 is 203% above the national median of $2,690, despite home values near the national average.

Above state average tax rate

Warren's effective rate of 2.52% exceeds New Jersey's state average of 2.21%, ranking it in the upper third of the state's 21 counties. The median tax bill of $8,156 falls slightly below the state median of $8,512, showing that Warren's burden comes from rate rather than valuation.

Higher than most surrounding areas

Warren's 2.52% rate is second-highest in the region, surpassed only by Salem County's 3.03%. Somerset (1.91%), Union (2.05%), and Sussex (2.47%) all offer lower rates, giving Warren homeowners a cost disadvantage.

A $323,100 home costs $8,156 yearly

The median Warren County home valued at $323,100 generates an annual property tax bill of $8,156. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more ($8,331), while those without pay slightly less ($7,842).

Warren homeowners can challenge assessments

Property assessments in Warren County sometimes overestimate home values, and homeowners can appeal their assessments at no cost. Successful appeals have helped many neighbors reduce their annual tax bills and recover years of overpayment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Warren County

via CostByCounty

Warren offers rural affordability advantage

Warren County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national housing stress threshold, supported by a median household income of $99,596 and the lowest rents in this county group at $1,368. Rural New Jersey delivers surprising economic efficiency.

Warren ranks among state's most affordable

Warren's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio beats New Jersey's 19.1% state average by 2.6 percentage points, positioning it as one of the most affordable counties statewide. Only Sussex and Somerset offer better housing affordability ratios.

Warren leads on rent, lags on income

Warren's $1,368 median rent is the lowest of any county in this comparison, but its median household income of $99,596 trails Somerset and Sussex. The tradeoff offers excellent rent affordability for those willing to accept slightly lower local wage scales.

Warren keeps housing costs remarkably low

Renters spend just $1,368 monthly while homeowners pay $1,779, consuming only 16.5% and roughly 21.4% of the $99,596 median household income respectively. This efficiency leaves Warren residents among the most housing-secure in the state.

Warren rewards remote workers and retirees

If you work remotely or are relocating in retirement, Warren County's lowest rents and strong affordability ratio make it an excellent relocation target with small-town character. Compare local job opportunities carefully, as wage scales trail more urban New Jersey counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Warren County

via IncomeByCounty

Warren exceeds national income by one-third

Warren County's median household income of $99,596 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 33.2%, placing it solidly above typical American earning levels. This income advantage reflects Warren's mix of rural professionals, small business owners, and commuters to regional job centers.

Slightly below New Jersey's affluent norm

Warren's $99,596 median income falls just shy of New Jersey's state average of $100,891, ranking it near the middle of the state's 21 counties. Though Warren underperforms the state average by 1.3%, it remains well-positioned nationally.

Warren anchors the region's modest-income end

Warren residents earn less than Sussex ($114,316), Somerset ($135,960), and Union ($100,117), though modestly ahead of Salem ($78,412). Warren's income reflects its more rural character and smaller job market compared to New Jersey's corporate-dominated wealth centers.

Housing remains appropriately priced relative to income

At 16.5%, Warren's rent-to-income ratio is healthy and well below the 30% stress threshold, indicating strong rental affordability. The median home value of $323,100 aligns reasonably with Warren incomes, supporting homeownership feasibility for qualified buyers.

Leverage moderate income and affordable housing

Warren households benefit from near-state-average income combined with below-state-average housing costs, creating opportunity for wealth accumulation. Focus on building emergency savings, maximizing retirement contributions, and exploring home equity as a long-term investment vehicle.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Warren County

via HealthByCounty

Warren's Life Expectancy Nearly Average

At 78.3 years, Warren County residents live just slightly below the U.S. average of 78.8 years, marking modest health outcomes. The county's 13.3% poor/fair health rate sits just above the national average of 12%.

Slightly Below New Jersey Standard

Warren's 78.3-year life expectancy falls 0.2 years short of New Jersey's 78.5-year average, placing the county among the state's lower-tier performers. The county's poor/fair health rate signals room for improvement in chronic disease management.

Lower Health Outcomes Than Somerset

Warren residents live 3.5 years shorter than Somerset County (81.8 years) and 0.1 years shorter than Sussex (78.4 years). With 54 primary care providers per 100K, Warren trails Somerset's 110 but edges ahead of Salem's 25.

Better Coverage, Accessible Primary Care

Warren's 6.0% uninsured rate beats the state average of 7.5%, indicating strong insurance enrollment across the county. With 54 primary care providers and 263 mental health providers per 100K, Warren residents have reliable access to preventive and behavioral health services in their daily lives.

Keep Warren Well Covered

While Warren's uninsured rate is below state average, ensuring every resident stays protected is critical to maintaining health gains. Check your coverage at nj.gov/humanservices or dial 1-877-NJ-COVER to explore all available plans and local resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Warren County

via RiskByCounty

Warren's risk sits modestly below national average

Warren County scores 80.76 on the composite risk scale, earning a relatively low risk rating that falls below national averages for comparable counties. This favorable standing reflects Warren's generally moderate exposure to natural disasters, making it a relatively safer choice within its region.

Warren ranks well below New Jersey's average

At 80.76, Warren scores considerably below New Jersey's state average of 90.81, placing it in the lower half of the state's risk distribution. This below-average standing positions Warren as one of the safer counties for natural disaster exposure statewide.

Warren matches Sussex and Salem in safety

Warren (80.76) aligns closely with Sussex (77.45) and Salem (76.53) in relative safety, forming a lower-risk zone in northwestern and southern New Jersey. All three counties significantly outperform Somerset (90.94) and especially Union (95.48).

Flooding and hurricanes lead Warren's hazards

Flood risk registers at 86.55 in Warren County, reflecting vulnerability near river systems and seasonal precipitation events. Hurricane exposure reaches 79.93, while tornado and wildfire risks remain comparatively low at 49.68 and 23.44 respectively.

Secure flood and wind protection early

Warren residents should obtain flood insurance given the county's 86.55 flood risk score, particularly those near waterways and flood-prone zones. Homeowners should also review wind and hurricane coverage in standard policies to ensure adequate protection during severe storm seasons.

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.