Retiring can be the perfect time to go out and enjoy your newfound freedom, especially if that includes moving to a new state, to a new place, so we’re going to take a look at the 10 best places to retire in New Jersey.
If you want to be close to the busy life in New York, but not have to pay all that cash for living there, then you might just do the same thing that many corporate employees do – they move to New Jersey and commute.
New Jersey is a state in the north region of the United States, bordered by New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean. It might be small as far as territory goes, occupying 8,722 square miles, but it is the most densely populated state in the entire USA. That’s because on this small territory, live over 8.9 million people.
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On top of the beaches you can enjoy in New Jersey, there are also mountainous areas, with deep woods. When it comes to the weather you’re to expect here, you should know there are two types of climate going on. In the northwest area, you’ll find a humid continental climate, with cooler temperatures due to the elevation, while in the south, central and northeast areas there’s a humid subtropical climate. Basically, the summers are hot and humid, while winters are quite cold.
Alternatively, if you want, you can also look into the 10 best places to retire in New York.
For today’s list we took a look at the state’s counties and checked out the average commute time (included as the general state of traffic, since pensioners use the same roads as the commuters to go about their daily activities, albeit not necessarily at the same time), the median home price, the cost of living index, the crime rate and the number of physicians per 100,000 people. Information comes from Sperling’s Best Places, which centralizes data from dozens of governmental sources. We ranked the counties based on all this information, handed out points and rewarded those counties that have more doctors than the state’s average since this is such an important issue.
So you have a comparison base, you should know that it takes about half hour to commute in the state of New Jersey. Houses are sold for $273,700 in average, while the cost of living index is 126.7, quite a bit above the national average. The crime rate was calculated at 41, while the number of doctors per 100,000 residents is 303.
Without further ado, here are the 10 best places to retire in New Jersey.
10. Warren
Score: 17
Median home price: $194,800
Cost of living index: 106.9
Average commute time: 34.93
Crime rate: 29
Doctors per 100K: 149
Home to over 106,000 people, Warren County, is in the north-west area of the state. The territory it covers measures over 362 square miles, most of which is made out of beautiful hills. There are also several mountains in the area that will give you beautiful views to look at.
The average home price in Warren is just below $195,000, while the cost of living index was calculated at a moderate 106.9. The crime rate is 29, so you should be pretty safe in this county. Your medical needs are somewhat covered here since the physicians’ density here is 149 per 100,000 people.
9. Bergen
Score: 17
Median home price: $396,800
Cost of living index: 153.7
Average commute time: 30.53
Crime rate: 29
Doctors per 100K: 474
In the northeastern area of New Jersey sits Bergen County, home to over 938,000 people. The territory measures some 246 square miles so this is an extremely populous county. It is also quite wealthy, as the median household income was calculated at over $81,700.
This explains, in part, why the median home price here is so high – nearly $397,000. The cost of living index is also quite high, namely 153.7, with 100 being the national average. The crime rate in this county was set at 29, so you’ll be quite safe. There’s also a rather high number of physicians per 100,000 people here, namely 474.
8. Morris
Score: 18
Median home price: $374,200
Cost of living index: 151
Average commute time: 29.91
Crime rate: 25
Doctors per 100K: 364
In the northern area of New Jersey, you’ll find Morris County, home to over 492,000 people. Out of the 481 square miles of the territory, some 4.5 percent is water, including the Rockaway River, the Black River, and the Whippany River. Therefore, if you want to enjoy some time out in the nature near the water, you have plenty of options to choose from.
The median home price in this area is just north of $374,000, which also drives the cost of living index up a little, towards 151. The crime rate in this area is 25, so you’ll be pretty safe. There are also quite a few doctors here, with the density per 100,000 people reaching 364.
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7. Gloucester
Score: 19
Median home price: $171,300
Cost of living index: 109.6
Average commute time: 28.14
Crime rate: 29
Doctors per 100K: 150
Gloucester County has over 291,000 residents, with the numbers being on the rise in recent years. The entire territory it covers measures 337 square miles, with 4.5 percent of it being water, mostly low rivers.
The median home price in Gloucester County is just north of $171,000, so you should be able to afford a place here, especially since there are surely houses that go for way cheaper than this. The cost of living index is also rather low, although still above the national average – 109.6. Commuting in this county takes a little over 28 minutes, which is less than what the data for the entire state of New Jersey show.
6. Somerset
Score: 21
Median home price: $354,500
Cost of living index: 146.8
Average commute time: 31.54
Crime rate: 26
Doctors per 100K: 421
With over 323,000 residents, Somerset ranks about halfway up the ladder of the most populous counties in New Jersey. Nonetheless, that’s still a pretty high number of residents to have on a 304 square miles territory.
The county ranks pretty high on the list of the highest per capita income, however, which might explain why the median home price in the area is $354,500. The cost of living index is, accordingly, also quite high, namely 146.8. The crime rate is low here, while the number of doctors working here is rather high, with the 421 physicians per 100,000 people being above the state’s average.
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5. Atlantic
Score: 21
Median home price: $175,800
Cost of living index: 107.9
Average commute time: 23.68
Crime rate: 46
Doctors per 100K: 246
In the southern area of New Jersey, you’ll find Atlantic County, a place that has a population of over 274,000 people, with the numbers being on the rise. Out of the 671 square miles territory, some 17 percent is water, so you should have plenty of options to choose from if you want to spend some time by the water, swimming, fishing, or doing whatever else brings you happiness.
Homes have more accessible prices here, just shy of $176,000. The cost of living index is also rather low compared to other areas, namely 107.9, so you should be happy for your wallet.
The number of doctors per 100,000 people in Atlantic County is 246 so your medical needs should be covered without having to leave the county.
4. Mercer
Score: 21
Median home price: $202,000
Cost of living index: 112
Average commute time: 27.01
Crime rate: 39
Doctors per 100K: 340
In the central area of New Jersey, you’ll find Mercer County, where some 371,000 people live. The territory county covers measures 228 square miles, out of which only 2 percent is water. Therefore, you’ll have to enjoy the county’s parks and the lakes here rather than the ocean.
The median home price is $202,000 so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem to get the money for a new place, especially since there are plenty of cheaper options to choose from. The cost of living index in Mercer is 112, so you shouldn’t pay too much above what you’re used to.
3. Salem
Score: 24
Median home price: $142,500
Cost of living index: 102.6
Average commute time: 26.62
Crime rate: 39
Doctors per 100K: 97
Salem County is located in the southern area of New Jersey, a county with some 64,000 residents. The territory sits on measures just over 372 square miles, out of which nearly 11 percent is water, including the Delaware River, the Salem River, and many creeks.
The median home price here is $142,500, while the cost of living index is 102.6, pretty much in line with the national average. The number of physicians per 100,000 people in Salem County is just 97, so you might have to travel a bit if you have a more serious health issue.
2. Cumberland
Score: 28
Median home price: $117,600
Cost of living index: 97.1
Average commute time: 23.71
Crime rate: 49
Doctors per 100K: 128
Down south in New Jersey, there’s Cumberland County, with over 155,000 residents. Out of the 677 square miles of this county, over 28 percent is water. Since Cumberland has a rather long coastline, you shouldn’t be surprised there are so many rivers reaching the sea through its territory, including Manumuskin River and Cohansey River. There are also lots and lots of lakes to enjoy here.
The median home price is north of $117,000, which means they’re more than accessible to those looking to buy. The cost of living index is also below the national average, sitting at 97.1, so you might even be able to put some money away each month.
1. Camden
Score: 32
Median home price: $145,000
Cost of living index: 103.5
Average commute time: 27.65
Crime rate: 42
Doctors per 100K: 379
At the top of our list is Camden County, with nearly 511,000 people according to the 2015 Census estimates. The territory measures just 227 square miles, out of which nearly 3 percent is water.
Houses go for $145,000 in average, which means you’re likely going to be able to afford a new home with very little issues. The cost of living index is also rather low, just a bit over the national average – 103.5, but definitely under many counties in New Jersey.
The violent crime rate is 42, so you should maybe keep an eye out around the neighborhood. When it comes to healthcare, Camden County has a pretty high doctors’ density. More specifically, there are 379 physicians for every 100,000 residents.
All in all, Camden County made it to the top of our list of the 10 best places to retire in New Jersey.
