What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday
What a paycheck buys in New Jersey this week
A median New Jersey household earning $111,400 Median household income (New Jersey, current dollars) U.S. Census Bureau · 2025 Annual release · FRED MEHOINUSNJA646N ↗ a year can afford a home of about $352,000 at this week’s 7.32% 30-year fixed mortgage rate (U.S. average) Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey · week of Oct 22, 2026 Weekly release · FRED MORTGAGE30US ↗ average 30-year rate. The median New Jersey listing is $559,500 Median list price (New Jersey) Realtor.com · September 2026 Monthly release · FRED MEDLISPRINJ ↗ , which would take 44.5% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.
Compared with a year ago
A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $550,000 and median income of $103,600 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $360,000 and the median listing took 42.8% of income. Affordability in New Jersey has worsened since then.
Nearby in the ranking
- #27 Delaware: can afford $315,000, median listing $485,000
- #28 North Carolina: can afford $253,000, median listing $400,000
- #30 Mississippi: can afford $183,000, median listing $292,000
- #31 Connecticut: can afford $320,000, median listing $523,000
New Jersey housing market report → · New Jersey brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →
How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.