5 Cheapest Places to Live in New Jersey, 2022

Making a move to the Northeast is a big decision and requires some planning. New Jersey offers city living, green space, quiet suburbs, and quick access to New York City and Philadelphia. Before getting out the moving boxes, learn more about the cost of living in New Jersey and what to expect from The Garden State.

Some of the best places to live in New Jersey are also among the most affordable. So if you're looking for a cheap apartment in New Jersey, here's where to start looking.

Note: The data provided below comes from our rent estimates. These numbers expand beyond those listed on our platform. For further information, learn about our methodology.

New Jersey Average Rent Prices

Learn more about the average rent prices around New Jersey before deciding where to settle down.

• The average rent for a New Jersey studio apartment is: $1,693.88
• The average rent for a New Jersey 1-bedroom apartment is: $1,798.89
• The average rent for a New Jersey 2-bedroom apartment is: $2,143.89
• The average rent for a New Jersey 3-bedroom apartment is: $2,508.22

1. Newark

• Population: 311,549
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,185.00
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 15.50%
• Median Household Income: $37,476
• Walk score: 76
• Transit score: 65
• Bike score: 51

Newark was founded in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans. It rapidly grew during the Industrial Revolution to serve as a hub for the Northeast region. However, after the 1950s, it experienced an urban decline, although it's undergoing reinvestment and development.

Due to its proximity to New York City and volume of commuters, not all of New Jersey is affordable. However, Newark makes the list of reasonable rents. The median age in New Jersey is almost 34 years old, making it an ideal place for professionals looking for more space and urban amenities without living in the epicenter of New York City. If you want to live and work in Newark, you have your choice of transportation and warehousing, healthcare and social assistance, construction, retail trade, waste management services, and education.

Despite Newark's reputation for urban grit, there are glorious outdoor spaces in the city. The historic Branch Brook Park is on the National Register of Historic Places adorned with seasonal cherry blossoms and spring festivals. The Newark Riverfront Park stretches along the Passaic River, perfect for an urban walk. The promenade is still undergoing development and river clean-up after years of pollution.

Sports enthusiasts head to the Prudential Center, while arts and culture lovers see shows at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. For a culinary experience and cultural festivals, the Ironbound neighborhood is home to restaurants and bakeries that draw weekend crowds.

The Newark Museum of Art offers programs and events for children and families, as well as 80 galleries arts and science galleries. The museum also features a mini zoo, planetarium, sculpture garden, and a restored 1885 mansion.

Newark has a well-regarded food scene. Situated in the Ironbound neighborhood, Mompou serves traditional Spanish tapas, sangria, and tres leches. For pub fare, plus unexpected additions like lobster, Elbow Room delivers. They also draw crowds looking for Chicken Tinga Mac and tasty ice cream sandwiches. Locals and visitors gather at one of the oldest Irish pubs in New Jersey for cold brews and traditional fare.

Learn more about the average rent in Newark.

2. Cherry Hill Mall

• Population: 14,805
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,877.00
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 20.40%
• Median Household Income: $91,818
• Walk score: n/a
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: n/a

Cherry Hill Mall isn't a city but a 3.65 unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in New Jersey. The cozy area is known for its retail, dining, and namesake mall. Shoppers and residents come for shopping plazas, big-box retailers, dining, and hospitality areas.

The median age in Cherry Hill Mall is 42 years old, although there is a stronghold of 18 to 44-year-olds. Many residents make the 8.7-mile drive into Philadelphia to broaden their career options. The mall is the primary employer in the area, although Cherry Hill is just five minutes away with more industries, including finance and manufacturing.

Whether you're looking for an upscale apartment or a single-family home, your options in Cherry Hill Mall are affordable. It's an ideal place to live whether you love shopping or plan to work in retail.

The Cherry Hill Mall community is small, and retail is the main attraction of things to do and see. The mall features retailers like Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstrom, and Stev Madden. In addition, you'll find options like Fuwa Teriyaki and Noodle Bar, The Bistro at Cherry Hill, and Blue Fig Garden for dining.

There are also plenty of nearby attractions in Philadelphia. Patriot Harbor Lines take visitors on boat rides from the Seaport Museum dock at Penn's Landing. You can spend more time outdoors at Laurel Park, featuring a lake, park areas, walking paths, and fishing. For a unique experience, locals throw axes at Bury The Hatchet Cherry Hill.

Learn more about the average rent in Cherry Hill Mall.

3. Moorestown-Lenola

• Population: 14,240
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,892.00
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.37%
• Median Household Income: $133,780
• Walk score: n/a
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: n/a

Moorestown-Lenola is another one of New Jersey's unincorporated communities and census-designated places. Quakers founded the area in the 17th century and, until 2021, didn't allow the retail sale of alcoholic beverages. Before 1922, Lenola was a farmland village in Chester Township, and Moorestown was about a mile away.

At just under eight square miles, Moorestown-Lenola is small, though it offers a handful of cool activities. The nearby Funplex for go-karting, fun-a-whirl rides, a Boardwalk with a carnival feel, and a recently added splash park for video games. Locals play a round at Monster Mini Golf or try their hand at art at Nailed it DIY Studio.

Ramblewood Country Club offers 27 holes of championship golf for multiple skill levels. In such a tight-knit community, Moorestown-Lenola is also home to family-friendly festivals. It hosts the annual St. Charles Borromeo Carnival features fair rides, half-price days, and themes like Italian and Polish night with cuisine to match.

Moorestown Mall is one of the biggest attractions, offering places to shop, dine, and hang with friends. The mall attracts visitors from around South Jersey with annual events like the spring fling shopping expo. In addition, some of the best places to eat in the area are found at the mall. Yard House features all American fare, and Joe Italiano's Maplewood is the spot for happy hours and old-school Italian plates.

Learn more about the average rent in Moorestown-Lenola.

4. Harrison

• Population: 19,450
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,892.00
• Rent Change in the Past Year: -0.26%
• Median Household Income: $66,699
• Walk score: 36
• Transit score: 31
• Bike score: 29

Harrison, New Jersey, was founded in 1840 as a township and named after President Wiliam Henry Harrison, who was elected the same year. The area grew thanks to its prime trading location from rail lines and a large waterfront.

The median age in Harrison is 34 years old, with the majority of the population between 25 to 44 years old. Residents in Harrison can work in the area or commute 9.5 miles into New York City. Public transportation is available via PATH trains. Some of the largest employers in Harrison include APL Corporation, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, C.S. Osborne and Co., and Campbell Foundry.

The New York City metro area is a sports haven, and Harrison boasts its own home team. Fans head to the 25,000-seat Red Bull Arena stadium to see the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer league play.

Although Harrison is just miles from one of the most influential arts and culture cities globally, it also boasts its own scene. The cabaret-style New Jersey Performing Arts Center features concerts, dance, comedy, and more. In addition, Newark Museum isn't far to see the state's largest museum if you want to soak up some local art.

The Vanguard is a mess hall-inspired dining room and jazz cocktail lounge for food and music. Its atmosphere and vibes nod to its industrial-era past. For the "best wings in Harrison," Greenroom features pub food like nachos, piazzas, and indulgent homemade empanadas.

Learn more about the average rent in Harrison.

5. New Brunswick

• Population: 55,266
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,949.00
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 24.54%
• Median Household Income: $43,930
• Walk score: 73
• Transit score: 35
• Bike score: 60

New Brunswick was founded in 1724 and named in honor of King George I, the Duke of Brunswick. New Brunswick grew into a hub for travelers and traders with a position along the Raritan River.

New Brunswick is a college town with Rutgers, the nearby Middlesex College, and Seton Hall University. So it makes sense the city boasts a large college student population and a median age of 23-years-old. The city also has a reputation for diversity and has been described as the nation's "most Hungarian city," with immigrants making up 20% of the population in 1915. There's also a vibrant Latino community, specifically in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala.

Rutgers Gardens features a 180-acre botanic garden, plant collection, student farm, and farmer’s market for an outdoor walk and bamboo forest. The nearby Boyd Park features 20-acres of walking trails, picnic areas, and fishing. There's also a full-sized amphitheater that hosts seasonal events.

For arts and culture, the State Theater showcases classical music and orchestral performances. In addition, the renovated George Street Playhouse features small plays and offers classes and residencies. Art lovers also have access to the Zimmerli Art Museum with a unique collection that includes soviet nonconformist art.

New Brunswick also has an excellent food scene, with options like The Frog and Peach housed inside an industrial building downtown. Harvest Moon Brewery and Café is famous for hand-crafted beers and American cuisine. The World of Beer is the place for all things beer, live music, and shrimp tacos.

Learn more about the average rent in New Brunswick.

Final Thoughts - Where Should I Move to In New Jersey?

New Jersey's access to New York City and Philadelphia is only part of what makes this state such a great place to live. You also have your choice of historical, urban, or suburban settings with green space and plenty of shopping.

If you're ready to move to the Garden State, start researching the cost of living in New Jersey, from taxes to utilities. Next, start exploring cheap apartments and rents to suit your budget. Make the process easier by registering with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent in New Jersey!