If you live in North Jersey or New York and you have started wondering what your money would buy farther south, you are not alone. I hear from more and more people who are tired of paying big-city prices for small spaces, and who want a yard, a driveway and a little breathing room, without leaving the region behind.

I'm Jerry Mac with Keller Williams Realty. I have been helping people buy and sell homes in South Jersey for 23 years. Here is what I tell people who are thinking about making the move, including the parts that are not always what you hope to hear.

Why North Jersey and New York Buyers Look at South Jersey

  • More house for the money in many towns. Bigger lots, finished basements and extra bedrooms are common at price points that would buy much less in parts of North Jersey and New York.
  • A different daily pace. Easier parking, more parks and a quieter street.
  • Philadelphia next door. Center City, the airport, the museums and the sports teams are close, and so is the Jersey Shore.
  • Room to work from home. If your job is remote or hybrid, you can choose where to live based on the home, not the commute.

What Your Money Buys: A Real Look at the Numbers

Prices vary a lot from town to town, so I would rather show you real numbers than a promise. These are the median sale prices over the past 12 months in the towns I work in most, from my Bright MLS reports run in October and November 2026. They include every type of home, from condos and townhomes to single-family houses:

South Jersey townMedian sale price (last 12 months)
Maple Shade*About $341,000
Mount Laurel$375,500
Cinnaminson$440,000
Collingswood$455,500
Marlton (Evesham Township)$475,000
Cherry Hill$490,775 (single-family homes: $540,000)
Medford Lakes$587,000
Medford$637,500
Moorestown$761,950

*Maple Shade is the Zillow typical home value as of June 2026, not a Bright MLS median, so it is a rough guide only. Mount Laurel's median is pulled down because so many of its sales are condos, townhomes and 55-plus homes. Cherry Hill is shown both ways so you can see the difference between all homes and single-family homes.

For comparison, recent 2026 market reports put the median home price in Bergen County at roughly $742,000 for all property types, and in Hudson County at roughly $560,000. Those are county-wide figures from public reports and vary by source and property type.

So here is the honest picture. South Jersey is not cheap everywhere. Moorestown is a premium market, priced similarly to Bergen County. But the range is wide, from the mid $300,000s up into the $700,000s, and many buyers find that for $450,000 to $650,000 they can get a single-family home with a yard in a town with a real downtown, good parks and a train or highway close by. I will walk you through exactly what your budget buys, town by town. See my guides to what you can buy for $350,000 and Moorestown home prices.

Taxes: What Changes and What Does Not

If you are moving within New Jersey (from North Jersey), your state income tax stays the same. The big difference is property taxes, which vary a great deal from one town to the next. Look at the actual tax bill on every home, not just the list price. My guide to South Jersey property taxes by town is a good place to start, and my guide to ANCHOR property tax relief explains a program some homeowners qualify for.

If you are moving from New York, you stop paying New York City income tax if you live in the city today, and you become a New Jersey resident for income tax. If you still work in New York, you may owe New York tax on that income, with a credit on your New Jersey return. New York also looks closely at residency, so how you change your residency matters. This is a tax-advisor question, not a Realtor question, so please talk to your accountant before you decide. I would rather you know the real picture than move for a savings that is smaller than you expected.

The Commute: Let's Be Honest

The drive down from North Jersey or New York is simple: it is either Route I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike. Both run the length of the state and put you right in the heart of Burlington and Camden Counties, and I-295 and the Turnpike connect near Mount Laurel, Moorestown and Cinnaminson, so you can use whichever is moving better that day. Traffic changes everything, so it is worth trying the drive at the time of day you would actually make it.

Animated map of cars driving from New York down the New Jersey Turnpike corridor to South Jersey towns including Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Marlton, with a clock showing about 1 hour 45 minutes
The drive from New York to South Jersey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes without heavy traffic, and often two hours or more at busy times. This map is a simplified illustration, not turn-by-turn directions.

That said, South Jersey is not a daily commute to Manhattan. It is roughly two hours or more each way by car, depending on your town and traffic, and the train trip takes a transfer or two. Here is how people actually make it work:

  • Work remotely or hybrid. This is the most common reason people move. A few trips a month to New York are very doable.
  • Drive when it suits you. I-295 and the Turnpike make it easy to head north for a weekend, a family visit or a day in the office.
  • Take the train when you need to. NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line runs from Atlantic City to Philadelphia 30th Street Station with stops in Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Lindenwold and Atco. From 30th Street you can connect to Amtrak, which serves New York Penn Station. NJ Transit also connects the Northeast Corridor at Trenton, and the River LINE light rail runs between Camden and Trenton along the Delaware River. Check njtransit.com and amtrak.com for current schedules and fares.
  • Work in Philadelphia or South Jersey. If you are changing jobs, the Philadelphia area is a short ride on PATCO or a drive across the bridges. See my Philly commuter guide.

My advice: if you need to be in a New York office several days a week, tell me up front. I would rather help you find the right fit than sell you a commute you will regret.

South Jersey Towns, Matched to What You Want

I work mainly in Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Marlton, Moorestown and the nearby Burlington and Camden County towns. Every town has a mix of home styles, so use this as a starting point.

If schools matter to you, please check with the district for the exact address you are considering. Boundaries can change, and no list online can replace a phone call.

Selling Your Home and Buying Here

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. My guide to buying and selling at the same time walks through the options. Getting pre-approved early helps, and I am happy to connect you with a trusted lender.

I am licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you are selling a home in New York, you will want a New York-licensed agent for that sale. If you are selling in North Jersey, a local agent in your town knows that market best. Either way I am glad to coordinate with them so the two sides of your move line up.

Buying From a Distance: What to Expect

  • Video tours and live walkthroughs. I can walk a home on video with you, show you the street, the neighbors' yards and the things photos hide.
  • Attorney review. New Jersey uses a three-day attorney review period after the contract is signed, so you will want an attorney lined up before you make an offer.
  • Timing. A typical purchase takes roughly 45 to 60 days from signed contract to closing.
  • Older homes. Ask about the roof, the heating system and whether an underground oil tank was ever used. A good inspection matters. See my guide to underground oil tanks in New Jersey.
  • Closing costs. See my guide to who pays closing costs in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in South Jersey than North Jersey or New York?

Often, but not always. Many South Jersey towns offer more house for the money, but Moorestown and a few others are priced like North Jersey suburbs. Compare actual homes and actual tax bills, not just town averages.

What is the best way to drive from North Jersey or New York to South Jersey?

Most drivers take either Route I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike. Both run south into Burlington and Camden Counties, and which one is faster depends on traffic that day.

Can I commute from South Jersey to New York City?

It is possible but long, roughly two hours or more each way by car, with a train option that involves transfers. Most people who make this move work remotely or hybrid.

Will my income taxes change if I move from New York?

You become a New Jersey resident for income tax. If you still work in New York, you may owe New York tax on that income with a credit on your New Jersey return. Talk to your accountant about your own situation.

Are property taxes in South Jersey high?

New Jersey property taxes are among the highest in the country and vary a lot by town. Look at the actual tax bill on each home.

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.

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. 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 market information changes. Please confirm details with your tax professional, njtransit.com and amtrak.com before making decisions. South Jersey market data: Bright MLS, deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Maple Shade figure: Zillow. North Jersey county figures are from recent 2026 market reports and vary by source and property type.