New Jersey Mortgage Calculator

Calculate your New Jersey mortgage payment with PMI, property tax, and closing costs.
Useful for home buyers in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton, and all of New Jersey.
Why use a New Jersey Mortgage Calculator?
New Jersey has the highest property tax rates in the US at 2.49%. This calculator estimates your payment, PMI, property tax, and closing costs.
New Jersey Property Tax: The average effective property tax rate is about 2.49%, the highest in the nation. New Jersey also has a Realty Transfer Fee that ranges from 0.4% to 1% depending on the purchase price.

Average Home Prices in Major New Jersey Cities (2024)

City Detached Semi-Detached Townhouse Condo
Newark$450,000$380,000$350,000$300,000
Jersey City$750,000$650,000$600,000$550,000
Paterson$400,000$350,000$320,000$290,000
Elizabeth$420,000$370,000$340,000$300,000
Trenton$350,000$300,000$280,000$240,000

Note: Prices are approximate averages for 2024 and may vary by neighborhood and property features.

How Mortgage Rules Work in New Jersey

Example: On a $550,000 home with 10% down in Jersey City, you pay PMI and property tax. Annual property tax would be approximately $13,695, and the Realty Transfer Fee around $4,290.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Jersey has the highest property tax rate in the nation (averaging 2.49%) due to several factors. The state relies heavily on property taxes to fund local services including public schools, which are among the highest-rated in the country. Additionally, New Jersey has a high number of municipal governments (565 municipalities), each with their own administration and services to fund. The state's high population density, infrastructure demands, and public employee pension obligations also contribute to the high tax rates.

New Jersey's Realty Transfer Fee (RTF) is a graduated tax on real estate transactions paid by the seller. The basic rate structure is:
  • 0.4% for properties under $150,000
  • 0.6% for $150,000 to $200,000
  • 0.78% for $200,001 to $1 million
  • 1% for properties over $1 million (additional 1% "mansion tax")
First-time homebuyers may qualify for a partial RTF exemption. The fee must be paid before the deed can be recorded, and is typically handled at closing by the title company or attorney. While technically a seller's responsibility, the fee is often negotiable in the purchase agreement.

Yes, New Jersey offers several property tax relief programs:
  • Homestead Benefit Program: Provides property tax credits or rebates to eligible homeowners.
  • Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): Reimburses eligible seniors and disabled persons for property tax increases.
  • Veterans Property Tax Deductions: $250 annual deduction for qualifying veterans or their surviving spouses.
  • Property Tax Deduction/Credit: Homeowners and tenants can claim either a deduction or credit on their NJ income tax returns.
Eligibility requirements vary by program, including income limits, residency requirements, and age restrictions. Applications must be filed annually for most programs.