Jersey City, NJ, is one of the many great cities to live on the East Coast. With its picturesque cityscape views, stellar food scene, and infinite ways to spend your time, it shouldn’t come as a shock that close to 283,900 people live in Jersey City. If you’re looking to buy a home in Jersey City, expect to see the median home sale price coming in at $760,000. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average rent in Jersey City is $3,048.
Don’t worry if those numbers don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 8 best affordable Jersey City suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 25 mile drive from the city. That way you can live near Jersey City and all its cool activities without paying the premium price of owning a home there.
#1: Clifton
Median home price: $522,500
Average sale price per square foot: $366
Average rent for an apartment: $2,483
Distance from Jersey City: 24 miles
Clifton, NJ homes for sale
Clifton, NJ apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $522,500, Clifton is the most affordable Jersey City suburb on our list. Just about a 24 mile drive away from Jersey City, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to visit Main Memorial Park, explore the Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park, and check out the views from Dundee Island Preserve.
#2: Union City
Median home price: $477,500
Average sale price per square foot: $382
Average rent for an apartment: $2,483
Distance from Jersey City: 7 miles
Union City, NJ homes for sale
Union City, NJ apartments for rent
Just a little more expensive than Clifton is Union City. About a 7 mile drive away from downtown Jersey City, you can see a show at The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre in just a quick drive. Make sure to check out Washington Park and explore the local shops and restaurants in this suburb of 68,600 people.
#3: Kearny
Median home price: $540,000
Average sale price per square foot: $324
Average rent for an apartment: $2,183
Distance from Jersey City: 9 miles
Kearny, NJ homes for sale
Kearny, NJ apartments for rent
About 15 minutes outside of the city, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Kearny. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, there are lots of things that make Kearny a great place to live. Make sure to visit Kearny Riverbank Park along the Passaic River and shop at Kearny Square if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: Secaucus
Median home price: $550,450
Average sale price per square foot: $299
Average rent for an apartment: $2,766
Distance from Jersey City: 7 miles
Secaucus, NJ homes for sale
Secaucus, NJ apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Kearny is the suburb of Secaucus. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Jersey City suburb. Make sure to visit Laurel Hill Park where there are green spaces, sports fields, and water views, check out the events at Meadowlands Exposition Center, and explore the Mill Creek Marsh Trail.
#5: Bayonne
Median home price: $570,000
Average sale price per square foot: $323
Average rent for an apartment: $2,425
Distance from Jersey City: 7 miles
Bayonne, NJ homes for sale
Bayonne, NJ apartments for rent
About a 7 mile drive into the city, consider adding Bayonne to your list of Jersey City suburbs to consider living in. With 71,700 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Jersey City, without paying the premium for a home there. Living in Bayonne, you can visit some of the scenic parks like Dennis P. Collins Park, Veterans Park, and Stephen R. Gregg Park, explore the downtown Bayonne area, and golf at one of the courses.
#6: North Bergen
Median home price: $605,000
Average sale price per square foot: $371
Average rent for an apartment: $3,046
Distance from Jersey City: 8 miles
North Bergen, NJ homes for sale
North Bergen, NJ apartments for rent
A recognizable Jersey City suburb is North Bergen, where the home prices are about $155K less than in Jersey City. Home to roughly 63,400 people, North Bergen is a great suburb to consider moving to this year. Make sure to explore the 167-acre James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park, enjoy the views from Hudson River Walkway, or grab a meal at one of the stellar local spots.
#7: West New York
Median home price: $630,000
Average sale price per square foot: $509
Average rent for an apartment: $2,849
Distance from Jersey City: 8 miles
West New York, NJ homes for sale
West New York, NJ apartments for rent
Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable Jersey City suburbs is West New York, which is only an 8 mile drive into the city center. With a population of about 52,900, living in West New York is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Jersey City. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to head to the Liberty Skyline where you can see views of Manhattan, check out the shops and restaurants along Bergenline Ave, and explore Miller Park where there are splash pads and a stadium.
#8: Harrison
Median home price: $710,000
Average sale price per square foot: $362
Average rent for an apartment: $2,702
Distance from Jersey City: 8 miles
Harrison, NJ homes for sale
Harrison, NJ apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable Jersey City suburbs is Harrison. Close to 19,400 residents call this affordable suburb home, so you’ll have a fraction of Jersey City’s population while remaining only 8 miles from the city. Living in Harrison, make sure to watch a soccer game at Red Bull Arena, explore West Hudson Park, and grab a meal at one of the many local restaurants.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Jersey City and under a 25-mile drive from downtown Jersey City. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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