Cheapest Places to Live in New Jersey (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in New Jersey? We ranked 12 New Jersey cities by median home value. The cheapest is Camden (~$128,000); the New Jersey median is $579,000.
Most affordable cities in New Jersey
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden | $128,000 | $158 |
| 2 | Ewing | $317,000 | $249 |
| 3 | Trenton | $360,000 | $284 |
| 4 | Toms River | $439,500 | $283 |
| 5 | Cherry Hill | $470,000 | $255 |
| 6 | Newark | $496,000 | $282 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $503,000 | $314 |
| 8 | Elizabeth | $514,000 | $300 |
| 9 | Paterson | $543,000 | $306 |
| 10 | Edison | $569,000 | $386 |
Most expensive cities in New Jersey
The priciest New Jersey markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey City | $660,500 | $565 |
| 2 | Clifton | $611,500 | $302 |
| 3 | Edison | $569,000 | $386 |
| 4 | Paterson | $543,000 | $306 |
| 5 | Elizabeth | $514,000 | $300 |
| 6 | Plainfield | $503,000 | $314 |
| 7 | Newark | $496,000 | $282 |
| 8 | Cherry Hill | $470,000 | $255 |
| 9 | Toms River | $439,500 | $283 |
| 10 | Trenton | $360,000 | $284 |
How we rank New Jersey cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all New Jersey home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
New Jersey affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in New Jersey? +
Based on median home value, Camden is among the most affordable cities in New Jersey, with a typical home around $128,000 — well below the New Jersey median of $579,000.
What is the most expensive city in New Jersey? +
By median home value, Jersey City is among the priciest in New Jersey, with a typical home around $660,500.
Is New Jersey an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in New Jersey is about $579,000 (97% more expensive than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $128,000 to $660,500.