New Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

New Brunswick is a mid-size city in New Jersey with a population of 55,744. Residents earn $60,248 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
55,744 Population 10,659/sq mi density
$60,248 Median Income $25,693 per capita
$316,800 Home Value $436,243 Zillow
$1,790 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
744 Violent Crime/100K 2,815 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$60,248 median income, 4.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$316,800 home value, $1,790/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
744 violent crimes/100K (96% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,248
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $316,800
12% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 744/100K
96% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.0%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,790
54% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.6%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.4%
105% higher than US avg

How New Brunswick Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population55,744
Median Age24.5 yrs
Density10,659/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 37%

Economy

C+
Median Income$60,248
Per Capita$25,693
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty25.4%
County GDP$86,705M
Commute25 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$316,800
Rent$1,790
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$436,243

Crime

F
Violent744/100K
Property2,815/100K
Murder7.1/100K
Assault310/100K
Burglary931/100K

Health

Obesity41.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.5%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation66 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.0%
High School+65.9%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 53%
Commute25 min
EV Stations20
Libraries32

Is New Brunswick a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, New Brunswick receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. New Brunswick has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in New Brunswick is $60,248, 20% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 25.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in New Brunswick is $316,800, 12% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,790 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 744 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,815 per 100,000, 44% above the national average.

Education

24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 65.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

New Brunswick experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches, including 29.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

New Brunswick has a population of 55,744 with a density of 10,659 people per square mile. The median age is 24.5 years, 37% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (37.3%), with 9.1% Hispanic, 13.1% Black.

Population

55,744
Total Population
10,659
People / sq mi
24.5yrs
Median Age
37% below US avg
5.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

New Brunswick vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only45.7%
42% below US avg
Spanish54.3%
305% above US avg

Social Characteristics

New Brunswick vs U.S. Average

The median household income in New Brunswick is $60,248, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: New Brunswick vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,248
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,693
Avg Weekly Wage$1,585
IRS Avg AGI$97,759

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.4%
105% above US avg
Establishments (County)25,382
County GDP$86,705M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,863
Healthcare2,497
Retail2,447
Manufacturing649

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,677
205% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.5 min
Work from Home10.2%

Walkability

The median home value in New Brunswick is $316,800, 12% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,790 (54% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $436,243.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$316,800
12% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$436,243
Median List Price$480,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$480,000
$/Sq Ft$305
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops5.3%
Inventory75

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,790
54% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,580

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied21.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,677
205% above US avg
Effective Rate3.37%
In New Brunswick, 41.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.5% report depression. 40.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: New Brunswick vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.6%
30% above US avg
Diabetes16.9%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure37.8%
Asthma9.6%
COPD7.0%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.0%
Physical Inactivity40.6%
Depression14.5%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress17.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.2%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death5,499/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access97.0%
Healthcare Facilities2,497
New Brunswick has a violent crime rate of 744 per 100,000 residents, 96% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,815 per 100,000 (44% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: New Brunswick vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent743.9/100K
96% above US avg
Murder7.1/100K
13% above US avg
Rape32.0/100K
Robbery395.1/100K
Assault309.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,815.3/100K
44% above US avg
Burglary930.7/100K
Theft1,742.2/100K
Vehicle Theft142.4/100K
Arson19.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)64

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
New Brunswick has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.8°F
0% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.5 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall29.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation66 ft (20 m)
Area5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²)
Population Density10,659/sq mi
Coordinates40.4867°N, 74.4444°W
County FIPS34023
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.5%
D 52.5%

Winner: Democrat by 8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.0%
29% below US avg
High School+65.9%
School Test Score6.24
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density10,659/sq mi
Total Area5.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations20
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries32
Healthcare Facilities2,497
Restaurants1,863
Retail Stores2,447

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)64
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.5 min
Work from Home10.2%

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