Top 10 Worst Places to Live in New Jersey In 2025

Top 10 Worst Places to Live In New Jersey . Top 10 Worst Cities In New Jersey to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in New Jersey. Top 10 Worst Villages in New Jersey. If you’re thinking about a move to New Jersey, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In New Jersey You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In North Carolina. 10 Places in New Jersey You Should NEVER Move To.



TOP 10 WORST PLACES TO LIVE IN NEW JERSEY

1. CAMDEN

Camden is located in southern New Jersey, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.Camden suffers from one of the worst reputations in America.  FBI-ranked as #1 for violent crime for all cities with populations over 50,000 in 2012. Camden ranks 1st in unemployment and lowest median income, 4th in poverty, 1st in overall crime, 1st in violent crime and 4th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Camden is 33.6%, which is 140% higher than national average. The typical household in Camden earns $28623 a year, which is 57.6% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 70.8% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. Nearly one in every 1 in every 7 workers in Camden is unemployed. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.

In Camden, only 68% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to the 87.7% of adults nationwide. The unemployment rate of Camden remained 13.9%, which is 195.74% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 99.14% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 322.16% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 62 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 54.95% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 33 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 73742
Unemployment Rate : 13.9%
Poverty : 33.6%
Median Home Value : $82500
Median Home Income : $28623
Overall Score : 5/10

2. NEWARK

Located in northeastern New Jersey, Newark is the largest city in the state and is situated near the Passaic River. It is only about 8 miles from New York City. Newark ranks 6th in unemployment, 8th in poverty and 4th in lowest median income in the New Jersey. 

The poverty rate of Newark is 26.3%, which is 87.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Newark earns $37476 a year, which is 44.48% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 60.3% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. Nearly 1 in every 9 workers in Newark is unemployed. The unemployment rate of Newark remained 10.6%, which is 125.53% higher than national rate. 

The violent crime rate in city is 36.24% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 189 chance of being victim of violent crime.

Population : 281917
Unemployment Rate : 10.6%
Poverty : 26.3%
Median Home Value : $254900
Median Home Income : $37476
Overall Score : 4/10

3. ATLANTIC CITY

Known for its boardwalk and casinos, Atlantic City is located in southeastern New Jersey and sits right on the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic City ranks 2nd in unemployment, 2nd in poverty and 2nd in lowest median income in the New Jersey. City also ranks 5th in overall crime, 6th in violent crime and 5th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Atlantic City is 35.2%, which is 151.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Atlantic City earns $29526 a year, which is 56.26% lower than national average.  1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 7 workers in Atlantic City is unemployed. The unemployment rate of Atlantic City remained 13.8%, which is 193.62% higher than national rate.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 70.2% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. 

The overall crime rate in city is 50.07% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 112% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 122 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 37.78% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 37 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 37793
Unemployment Rate : 13.8%
Poverty : 35.2%
Median Home Value : $150000
Median Home Income : $29526
Overall Score : 3/10

4. BRIDGETON

Located in southern New Jersey, Bridgeton is situated near the Cohansey River and is about 40 miles from Philadelphia. Bridgeton ranks 28th in unemployment, 3rd in poverty and 5th in lowest median income in the New Jersey. City also ranks 3rd in overall crime, 5th in violent crime and 3rd in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Bridgeton is 33.8%, which is 141.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Bridgeton earns $38319 a year, which is 43.23% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line and more than 1 in every 11 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 60.7% of households earn less than $50,000 a year.

In Bridgeton, only 65% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to the 87.7% of adults nationwide. The unemployment rate of Bridgeton remained 6%, which is 27.66% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 72.23% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 150% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 104 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 56.62% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 33 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 24264
Unemployment Rate : 6%
Poverty : 33.8%
Median Home Value : $107500
Median Home Income : $38319
Overall Score : 3/10

5. ASBURY PARK

Asbury Park is a coastal city located in central New Jersey, about 50 miles south of New York City and 70 miles east of Philadelphia. Asbury Park ranks 13th in unemployment, 10th in poverty and 16th in lowest median income in the New Jersey. City also ranks 2nd in overall crime, 2nd in violent crime and 1st in property crime in the state.

The unemployment rate of Asbury Park remained 8.3%, which is 76.6% higher than national rate. The poverty rate of Asbury Park is 22.5%, which is 60.71% higher than national average. The typical household in Asbury Park earns $53655 a year, which is 20.51% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line.

The overall crime rate in city is 98.24% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 216.06% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 83 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 74.89% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 30 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 15536
Unemployment Rate : 8.3%
Poverty : 22.5%
Median Home Value : $397900
Median Home Income : $53655
Overall Score : 5/10

6. PLAINFIELD

Located in north-central New Jersey, Plainfield is situated near the Green Brook and is about 25 miles from Newark. Plainfield ranks 12th in unemployment, 14th in poverty and 13th in violent crime in the state. The poverty rate of Plainfield is 18.1%, which is 29.29% higher than national average. The unemployment rate of Plainfield remained 8.5%, which is 80.85% higher than national rate.  The violent crime rate in city is 16.75% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 220 chance of being victim of violent crime.

Population : 50252
Unemployment Rate : 8.5%
Poverty : 18.1%
Median Home Value : $268000
Median Home Income : $58400
Overall Score : 6/10

7. LONG BRANCH

Long Branch is a coastal city located in central New Jersey, about 55 miles south of New York City and 70 miles east of Philadelphia. Long Branch ranks 15th in unemployment, 13th in poverty and 22nd in lowest median income in the New Jersey. The poverty rate of Long Branch is 18.2%, which is 30% higher than national average. The unemployment rate of Long Branch remained 7.9%, which is 68.09% higher than national rate. 



Population : 30424
Unemployment Rate : 7.9%
Poverty : 18.2%
Median Home Value : $367000
Median Home Income : $62027
Overall Score : 6/10

8. TRENTON

Located in central New Jersey, Trenton is the capital city of the state and sits near the Delaware River. It is about 30 miles from Philadelphia and 60 miles from New York City. Trenton ranks 7th in unemployment, 6th in poverty and 3rd in lowest median income in the New Jersey. City also ranks 6th in overall crime, 3rd in violent crime and 10th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Trenton is 27.2%, which is 94.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Trenton earns $37002 a year, which is 45.18% lower than national average.  1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 10 workers in Trenton is unemployed.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  The unemployment rate of Trenton remained 10.3%, which is 119.15% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 38.92% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 201.24% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 86 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 6.75% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 48 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 83387
Unemployment Rate : 10.3%
Poverty : 27.2%
Median Home Value : $97000
Median Home Income : $37002
Overall Score : 3/10

9. NEW BRUNSWICK

New Brunswick is located in central New Jersey and is home to Rutgers University. It sits near the Raritan River and is about 30 miles from Newark. New Brunswick ranks 20th in unemployment, 1st in poverty and 8th in lowest median income in the New Jersey. City also ranks 13th in overall crime, 11th in violent crime and 16th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of New Brunswick is 36.1%, which is 157.86% higher than national average. The typical household in New Brunswick earns $43930 a year, which is 34.92% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. 

In New Brunswick, only 66% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to the 87.7% of adults nationwide. The unemployment rate of New Brunswick remained 6.9%, which is 46.81% higher than national rate.

The violent crime rate in city is 31.88% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 196 chance of being victim of violent crime.

Population : 55992
Unemployment Rate : 6.9%
Poverty : 36.1%
Median Home Value : $267200
Median Home Income : $43930
Overall Score : 5/10

10. LAKEWOOD

Located in southern New Jersey, Lakewood is situated near the Manasquan River and is about 60 miles from both New York City and Philadelphia. Lakewood ranks 25th in unemployment, 5th in poverty and 13th in lowest median income in the New Jersey.

The poverty rate of Lakewood is 29.6%, which is 111.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Lakewood earns $50139 a year, which is 25.72% lower than national average. At least 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line.  The unemployment rate of Lakewood remained 6.3%, which is 34.04% higher than national rate. 

Population : 55039
Unemployment Rate : 6.3%
Poverty : 29.6%
Median Home Value : $497300
Median Home Income : $50139
Overall Score : 7/10

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