The median home price in New Jersey is $505,000, with a current 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.95%. A buyer putting 20% down on the median home would carry a loan of $404,000, resulting in a monthly principal and interest payment of $2,674. Once property taxes and insurance are added, total monthly housing costs reach $3,933.
Property taxes in New Jersey average 2.49% — well above the national average of 1.1%. On the median New Jersey home, that adds $1,048/month to your housing costs, which lenders factor directly into your debt-to-income ratio.
New Jersey levies a state income tax of 1.4%–10.75%, which affects take-home pay and therefore what you can realistically budget for housing. Mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and New Jersey state returns — consult a tax professional for your situation.