Living in Surf City, New Jersey
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Surf City · Census data 2020–2024
Surf City has 1,195 residents with a median age of 62.9. The median household income is $118,750 (15% higher than the New Jersey median), the median home value is $1,034,000, the median rent is $2,056/month.
Surf City is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Surf City at a glance
- Population
- 1,195
- Median age
- 62.9State: 40.1
- Median household income
- $118,750State: $103,556
- Median home value
- $1,034,000State: $454,400
- Median rent
- $2,056/moState: $1,720
- Homeowners
- 91.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 67.6%
- Average commute
- 35 min
Is Surf City a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 15% higher than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 4.5%.
Cons: Home values 128% higher than the state median; an average commute of 35 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Surf City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Surf City the median home value is $1,034,000, 211% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,056 per month, which is 26% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,332 a month in housing costs.
Surf City median household income
The median household income in Surf City is $118,750 and the income per person is $101,994. 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line (New Jersey: 9.7%).
Housing in Surf City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,497
- Owner-occupied
- 91.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 8.4%
- Vacant
- 75.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1970
- Average household size
- 1.96
75.6% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Surf City has many vacation and second homes.
Surf City demographics
- Population
- 1,195
- Median age
- 62.9
- Under 18
- 7.6%
- 65 and older
- 42.8%
- Households
- 610
- Foreign-born
- 4.4%
- Veterans
- 9.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Surf City ›
Education in Surf City
67.6% of adults 25 and older in Surf City have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Jersey: 43.6%), and 32.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Surf City
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 35 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 33.6%
- Drive alone
- 59.1%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 98%
Surf City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf City | 1,195 | $118,750 | $1,034,000 | $2,056 |
| Ship Bottom | 957 | $108,750 | $975,800 | $1,455 |
| Harvey Cedars | 487 | $146,250 | $1,224,400 | — |
| Beach Haven West | 5,120 | $119,394 | $641,700 | $1,702 |
| Manahawkin | 2,392 | $77,031 | $465,000 | $1,730 |
| North Beach Haven | 2,277 | $111,332 | $1,147,700 | $2,057 |
| Long Beach | 3,143 | $113,224 | $1,193,700 | $2,057 |
| Stafford | 29,834 | $117,612 | $426,200 | $1,800 |
| Eagleswood | 1,647 | $101,875 | $365,400 | $1,363 |
More for people moving to Surf City
Surf City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Surf City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Surf City, NJ?
The median household income in Surf City is $118,750, 15% higher than the New Jersey median of $103,556 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Surf City?
The median home value in Surf City is $1,034,000, compared with $454,400 in New Jersey.
How much is rent in Surf City?
The median gross rent in Surf City is $2,056 per month, about 26% of household income.
Is Surf City, NJ a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 15% higher than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 4.5%. Minuses: home values 128% higher than the state median; an average commute of 35 minutes.
What is the median age in Surf City?
The median age in Surf City is 62.9 years (New Jersey: 40.1).
How long is the commute in Surf City?
The average commute to work in Surf City is 35 minutes; 33.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Surf City?
The unemployment rate in Surf City is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Surf City?
67.6% of adults in Surf City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: