Cape May 64 Average
Cape May Livability #412 ranked city in New Jersey#14,413 ranked city in the USARanks better than 50% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Cape May

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

What's it like Living in Cape May?

Cape May is a small city located in the state of New Jersey. The city has a population of 3,573 residents. At 84%, the majority of the Cape May population is White; this is followed by 4% Black and 0% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Cape May is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cape May could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New Jersey if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Cape May and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New Jersey and national averages.

Cape May, NJ receives 63 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #428 in New Jersey and #14,740 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Cape May ranks very well for employment (A-). Regrettably for Cape May, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Cape May gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 145 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Cape May has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.8%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Assuming that Cape May meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Cape May. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cape May are simply unattainable. The median home price for Cape May homes is $1,166,091, which is 109.9% higher than the New Jersey average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cape May, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 12.1, which is 137.3% higher than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cape May

See all the best places to live around Cape May

How Do You Rate The Livability In Cape May?

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Compare Cape May, NJ Livability

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      Cape May transportation information

      Statistic Cape May New Jersey National
      Average one way commute18min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work54.7%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.2%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.6%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle3.9%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk29.1%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home3.7%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Cape May, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.