Located near major cities such as New York City and Philadelphia, it is home to coastal spots like the Jersey Shore, as well as views like Pine Barrens and Delaware’s Water Gap. There are many reasons to consider moving to New Jersey. If you think New Jersey is right for you, there may be a budget you want to stay below when renting or buying a home. For example, the median home sales price in New Jersey is $520,700 as of April.
If that price doesn’t fit your budget, don’t worry. Redfin has gathered a list of the seven most affordable locations to live in New Jersey. And they all have a median home selling price under the state average. Find out which cities you would like to consider moving to New Jersey.
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#1: Camden
Median home price: $151,000
Average selling price per square foot: $128
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $987
Median household income: $28,623
Nearest Major Metro: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5 miles)
Camden, New Jersey
Camden Apartment Rentals, New Jersey
The median home sale price is $151,000, and Camden is the most affordable place to live in New Jersey. About five miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Camden is the closest metro, the closest metro, home to around 71,800 people. Living in Camden, you can visit Wiggins Waterfront Park where you can find the Riverfront Promenade, the Amphitheater, nearby adventure aquariums, discover New Jersey Battleship Museums, and explore the homes of museums, shops and restaurants.
#2: Trenton
Median home price: $225,000
Average selling price per square foot: $148
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,450
Median household income: $37,002
Nearest Major Metro: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (30 miles)
Homes for Sale in Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton Apartments Rentals, New Jersey
Trenton is number two on the list of affordable cities to live in New Jersey. When you live in this city of 90,900 people, you can stop by the New Jersey Senator. There is also the New Jersey State Museum and the Old Barracks Museum. Explore the paths of Kadwaladar Park and try to watch the show in one of the concert halls and venues.
#3: Vineland
Median home price: $315,000
Average selling price per square foot: $165
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,400
Median household income: $55,740
Nearest Major Metro: Philadelphia, PA (40 miles)
Vinland, New Jersey Home for Sale
Vinland New Jersey apartments for rent
Around 60,800 people live in Vineland, located about 40 miles south of Philadelphia. The median home sales are $315,000, which is about $205,000 less than the median home sales price in New Jersey. If you find yourself moving here, explore the downtown area or check out one of the town’s parks.
#4: Perth Amboy
Median home price: $396,250
Average selling price per square foot: $308
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,795
Median household income: $54,188
Nearest Major Metro: Newark (22 miles)
Home for Sale in Amboy, New Jersey
Apartments for Perth Amboy, New Jersey apartments
If you have lived in New Jersey for a while, you may know our fourth city, Perth Amboy. This affordable area has around 55,400 residents. Stop by historic, unique home dating back to 1764 and travel to Perth Amboy and check out the shops and restaurants in and around Smith Street.
#5: Plain Field
Median home price: $449,000
Average selling price per square foot: $343
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,200
Median household income: $58,400
Nearest Major Metro: Newark (18 miles)
Plainfield, New Jersey Home for Sale
Plainfield Apartments, New Jersey Rental
Another great place to consider moving to New Jersey is Plainfield, with a population of around 54,600. For fun activities to do in Plainfield, explore parks like Cedarbrook Park and Greenbrook Park, see historic homes throughout Plainfield and check out the charming downtown area.
#6: Toms River
Median home price: $472,500
Average selling price per square foot: $273
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,316
Median household income: $80,145
Nearest Major Metro: New York, New York (30 miles)
Tom’s River, New Jersey
Toms River Rental Apartments in New Jersey
The recognizable city is Toms River. We see that home prices are about $50,000 less than the state average. With around 95,400 people calling Tom’s River to the house, this is the perfect area to consider buying a home this year. Take a boat cruise along the Toms River to explore the vast trails that lead to the waters of Cats Island County Park or spend a day on the coastal beaches. Even if you travel to the Toms River, you won’t get bored of exploring the city.
#7: New Brunswick
Median home price: $549,000
Average selling price per square foot: $357
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,434
Median household income: $37,002
Nearest Major Metro: Newark (28 miles)
Home for Sale in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Apartments for New Brunswick, New Jersey apartments
It’s New Brunswick that takes the final location on the list of affordable locations to live in New Jersey. Traveling to this affordable city with 55,300 residents will give you the perks of urban living without living in a metropolitan area. Living in New Brunswick, you can check out Boyd Park along the Raritan River, visit one of the theatres and comedy clubs for a show, and explore downtown shops and restaurants.
Methodology: Every city requires more than 50,000 residents per US census, and must have a median home selling price under the New Jersey average median home selling price. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.
