If you live in Philadelphia and you have started looking at South Jersey, you are not alone. I get this call all the time. People want more room, a yard, a quieter street, or simply a different pace, but they do not want to give up Center City, the job, or the Eagles on Sunday.
I'm Jerry Mac with Keller Williams Realty. I have been helping people buy and sell homes in South Jersey for 23 years, and I am licensed in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. That means I can help you sell on the Philadelphia side and buy on this side of the river. Here is what I tell people who are thinking about making the move.
Why Philadelphians Look at South Jersey
The reasons I hear most often are pretty consistent:
- More space. A driveway, a yard, a finished basement, or a home office is more common here at the price points many people are shopping.
- Quick access to the city. You can be in Center City by train or by car without leaving the region behind.
- A different daily rhythm. Easier parking, quieter streets and a real "come home and unwind" feeling.
- Tax changes. This one is real, but it is more nuanced than most people think. I explain it below.
The Philadelphia Wage Tax: What Actually Changes
This is the question I get asked first, and the answer depends on where you work.
According to the City of Philadelphia, the City Wage Tax rate effective July 1, 2026 is 3.735% for residents and 3.425% for non-residents.
- If you work outside Philadelphia and move to New Jersey, you generally stop paying the resident wage tax. On $100,000 of wages, that is roughly $3,700 a year.
- If you keep working in Philadelphia, you still owe the non-resident rate, so the difference is much smaller. On $100,000 of wages, the gap between 3.735% and 3.425% is about $310 a year.
Two more things worth knowing. Under the New Jersey and Pennsylvania reciprocal agreement, New Jersey residents who work in Pennsylvania do not pay Pennsylvania state income tax on those wages; they pay New Jersey income tax instead. And according to the NJ Division of Taxation, the reciprocal agreement does not cover city wage taxes, so a New Jersey resident who pays the Philadelphia wage tax may be able to claim a credit on their New Jersey return.
I am a Realtor, not a tax advisor, so please talk to your accountant about your own numbers before you decide. I would rather you know the real picture than move for a savings that is smaller than you expected.
Property Taxes: The Part Nobody Warns You About
New Jersey property taxes are among the highest in the country, and they vary a lot from one town to the next, sometimes from one side of a street to the other. Do not judge a home by the list price alone. Look at the tax bill, because it is part of your monthly payment.
I have written about this for two areas so far: see my Cherry Hill property tax guide and my Camden County property tax guide. When we look at homes together, I will show you the actual tax bill on every home before you fall in love with it.
The Commute: PATCO, Bridges and Driving
Getting to Philadelphia is a big part of why this move works.
- PATCO Speedline. The train runs from Lindenwold across the Ben Franklin Bridge into Center City. South Jersey stops include Lindenwold, Ashland (Voorhees), Woodcrest (Cherry Hill), Haddonfield, Westmont, Collingswood and Ferry Avenue (Camden). Ride times to Center City are generally in the range of 15 to 25 minutes depending on the station, and there is park-and-ride parking at many stops. Check ridepatco.org for current fares, schedules and parking.
- Driving. Routes include I-295, Route 38, Route 70, Route 42 and the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman and Betsy Ross bridges. Off-peak drives can be quick, and rush hour can double the time. Bridge tolls apply, so check the DRPA website for current toll rates.
My advice: do the commute at the actual time you would travel before you buy. A Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. tells you a lot more than a Saturday afternoon.
South Jersey Towns Philadelphians Ask About
I work mainly in Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Marlton and Moorestown. Here is a quick look at how they tend to differ. Every town has a mix of home styles, so use this as a starting point and not a rule.
- Cherry Hill. Large and varied, with a wide mix of neighborhoods and easy access to PATCO at Woodcrest. Read my guides on whether Cherry Hill is a good place to live and on Cherry Hill East vs. West.
- Moorestown. A historic Main Street and a higher price point. In my Moorestown market snapshot, 202 homes sold between September 2025 and September 2026 with a median sale price of $761,950 (Bright MLS). See also my Moorestown neighborhoods guide.
- Mount Laurel. Convenient to I-295, the Turnpike and shopping, with a lot of variety, including condos and townhomes. Start with my Living in Mount Laurel guide.
- Voorhees and Marlton. Popular suburbs with a mix of newer and established homes, and PATCO right in Voorhees. See my guides to living in Voorhees and living in Marlton, both with real sales data.
- Maple Shade, Palmyra and Delran. Often a good fit if you want to stay closer to the river and keep the budget in check. See my guides to Maple Shade, Palmyra and Delran.
If schools matter to you, please check directly with the school district for the exact address you are considering. Boundaries and grade setups can change, and no list online can replace a phone call. My Moorestown schools guide shows the kind of questions to ask.
What Surprises People After They Move
- You will drive more. Walking to a corner store is not the norm in most suburbs, though a few towns have walkable downtowns.
- Closing is different. New Jersey uses a three-day attorney review period after the contract is signed, and a typical purchase takes about 45 to 60 days to close.
- Older homes can have older systems. Ask about the roof, the heating system, and whether an underground oil tank was ever used. A good inspection matters.
- Prices vary by street. Two homes a few blocks apart can sit in very different price and tax situations.
Selling Your Philadelphia Home and Buying in South Jersey
Many of the people I help are doing both at once. The smoothest way is to talk through the order before you list: whether to sell first, buy first, or line up the closing dates. Getting pre-approved early helps, and I am happy to connect you with a trusted lender. Because I am licensed in Pennsylvania, I can also help with the sale itself. See my guide to selling your home in Philadelphia or Bucks County, PA. You can also read my guide on whether now is a good time to buy in South Jersey, and if you want to know what your Philadelphia home might bring, I can run the numbers with no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still pay the Philadelphia wage tax if I move to New Jersey?
It depends on where you work. If you work in Philadelphia, you still owe the non-resident rate (3.425% effective July 1, 2026). If you work outside the city, the City Wage Tax generally no longer applies. Confirm your situation with your accountant.
Do I pay Pennsylvania state income tax if I live in New Jersey and work in Pennsylvania?
Under the New Jersey and Pennsylvania reciprocal agreement, wages earned in Pennsylvania by New Jersey residents are not subject to Pennsylvania state income tax. You file in New Jersey instead.
How long is the commute from South Jersey to Philadelphia?
It depends on the town and how you travel. PATCO rides to Center City are generally in the 15 to 25 minute range, while driving varies with traffic and bridge. I always suggest test-driving your commute at your real travel time.
Are South Jersey property taxes higher than Philadelphia's?
New Jersey property taxes are among the highest in the nation and vary a lot by town. Compare the actual tax bill for each home, not just the town average.
How long does it take to buy a home in New Jersey?
A typical purchase takes roughly 45 to 60 days from signed contract to closing, and New Jersey includes a three-day attorney review period.
Can one agent help me sell in Philadelphia and buy in South Jersey?
Yes. I am licensed in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, so I can help with both sides of the move.
Thinking About Making the Move?
If you are even a little curious, call me. We can talk through your budget, your commute and which towns fit your life, with no pressure. I have worked with people in Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Marlton and Moorestown for over 23 years, and I am easy to talk to. There is no such thing as a silly question.
Search homes for sale | Homes under $500K | What is my home worth?
Jerry Mac | Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 856-220-1874
Website: www.southjerseyrealty.com
Tax, commute and toll information changes. Wage tax rates are from the City of Philadelphia, and the reciprocal agreement and credit information is from the NJ Division of Taxation. Please confirm details with your tax professional, ridepatco.org and the DRPA before making decisions. Market data: Bright MLS, 9/29/2025 to 9/29/2026, deemed reliable but not guaranteed.