The median home price in New Jersey is $584,072, with a current 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.76%. A buyer putting 20% down on the median home would carry a loan of $467,258, resulting in a monthly principal and interest payment of $3,034. Once property taxes and insurance are added, total monthly housing costs reach $4,192.
Property taxes in New Jersey average 1.88% — well above the national average of 1.1%. On the median New Jersey home, that adds $915/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.