salaryRent is higher than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 56.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,240 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Jersey cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New Jersey. It is number 78 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ocean City?
Share of households by yearly income. 42.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ocean City
| Size | Ocean City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,044 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,150 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,163 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,003 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ocean City overall?
Everyday prices in New Jersey overall are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Ocean City, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Ocean City
Life in Ocean City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ocean City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,901 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $840,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $84,050 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ocean City, NJ?
Renting in Ocean City costs a median of about $1,931 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Ocean City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,240 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ocean City cheap or expensive?
Ocean City is rated OK: rent takes 21.1% of the typical household income of $109,772. It ranks 78th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ocean City?
The median homeowner in Ocean City pays $6,040 a year in property taxes, about 0.72% of the median home value.
Is Ocean City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Jersey are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ocean City?
The median home value in Ocean City is $840,500, about 7.7 times the typical yearly household income.
11,261 people live in Ocean City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.