Best Places to Live in Atlantic County NJ (2026)
Say “Atlantic County” in North Jersey and most people picture the Boardwalk and the casinos. But Atlantic City is one town out of 23, and most of the county’s roughly 278,000 residents live somewhere else: in farm towns along the Expressway, family suburbs on the mainland, and beach towns on Absecon Island.
Those places feel nothing alike. Choosing between them means deciding what you want day to day: schools, a downtown, a short drive to the beach, or a train to Philadelphia.
This guide covers the best places to live in Atlantic County NJ beyond Atlantic City, with honest notes on housing, taxes, commutes, and what moving there actually involves.
Why Are People Moving to Atlantic County?
For most people, it comes down to space for the money.
Zillow’s home value index for Atlantic County was about $385,559 in August 2026, compared with about $580,353 for New Jersey overall. That is roughly a third less.
People moving here are often looking for:
- More house and a yard for their budget (if you are weighing it up, see renting vs. buying in NJ)
- Life closer to the shore
- A slower pace than North Jersey
- A reasonable commute to Philadelphia
- Remote work with a better quality of life
- Retirement near the beach
The job base is also broader than casinos. The FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township, Stockton University in Galloway, Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, and AtlantiCare’s hospitals and practices all employ people across the county.
What Is Atlantic County Like Beyond Atlantic City?
It helps to think of the county in three parts.
The Mainland Suburbs
Egg Harbor Township, Linwood, Somers Point, Northfield, and Absecon sit between the Garden State Parkway and the bay. This is where most families live, with single-family homes, schools, and a short drive to the beach.
The Western Towns
Hammonton, Galloway, and Hamilton Township stretch inland toward the Pinelands. Expect more land, farms, and small-town downtowns.
The Barrier Island
Ventnor, Margate, and Longport share Absecon Island with Atlantic City, and Brigantine sits on its own island to the north. This is beach living, with higher prices, seasonal crowds, and flood zones.
Where Should You Live in Atlantic County?
Egg Harbor Township
Egg Harbor Township is the most populous town in the county, with about 48,000 residents, and one of the largest by area. Communities like Bargaintown, Cardiff, English Creek, and Scullville each have their own feel.
Both the Atlantic City Expressway and the Garden State Parkway run through the township, and the FAA Technical Center and Atlantic City International Airport are here.
Best for: families who want room to grow and a wide choice of homes.
The trade-off: it is car-dependent, with no single downtown.
Galloway Township
Galloway covers more than 114 square miles, with villages like Smithville, Pomona, and Oceanville. Stockton University is here, and so is the headquarters of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
It has some of the most affordable homes in this guide, and historic Smithville gives the area a small village center.
Best for: first-time buyers and Stockton faculty and staff.
The trade-off: some parts of the township are a long drive from shopping and the shore.
Hammonton
Hammonton calls itself the Blueberry Capital of the World, and it has deep Italian-American roots. The Our Lady of Mount Carmel festival has been held here since 1875.
It has a real walkable downtown with local restaurants and shops, and it is the Atlantic County stop closest to Philadelphia on the train.
Best for: small-town life with a Philadelphia commute.
The trade-off: the beach is a drive, not a bike ride.
Linwood
Linwood is small, with about 7,000 residents, and very settled. About 94 percent of homes are owner-occupied.
Students attend Seaview Elementary and Belhaven Middle School, then Mainland Regional High School, which also serves Northfield and Somers Point. Schools are the main reason families choose Linwood.
Best for: families focused on schools and quiet streets.
The trade-off: the highest property tax rate in this guide.
Somers Point
Settled in 1693, Somers Point is the oldest community in Atlantic County. Its motto is “The Shore Starts Here,” and the Route 52 causeway runs straight into Ocean City.
Housing ranges from older bungalows and townhouses to condos and waterfront homes.
Best for: living near the water without island prices.
The trade-off: summer traffic heading to Ocean City.
Margate and Ventnor
Margate and Ventnor are the beach towns south of Atlantic City. Margate is home to Lucy the Elephant and has no hotels, which keeps it residential. In 2020, most of Margate’s housing units were seasonal or vacant for much of the year.
This is the most expensive part of the county, and high schoolers in Margate attend Atlantic City High School, which is worth researching if you have teenagers.
Best for: retirees, remote workers, and anyone who wants to walk to the beach.
The trade-off: price, flood insurance, and summer crowds.
How Do Property Taxes Compare Across Atlantic County?
Property taxes vary a lot from town to town, and they can change which town actually fits your budget.
Here are the 2025 effective tax rates from the New Jersey Division of Taxation:
- Linwood: 2.746%
- Somers Point: 2.308%
- Egg Harbor Township: 2.284%
- Galloway: 2.083%
- Hammonton: 2.066%
- Ventnor: 1.597%
- Margate: 0.920%
The effective rate is applied to a home’s market value. A lower rate on an expensive beach house can still mean a large bill, so compare the actual tax on the homes you are considering, not just the rate.
Can You Commute From Atlantic County?
To Philadelphia
NJ Transit’s Atlantic City Rail Line runs to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station with stops in Atlantic City, Absecon, Egg Harbor City, and Hammonton. On the current weekday schedule, the ride is about 1 hour 5 minutes from Hammonton and about 1 hour 40 minutes from Atlantic City.
Drivers use the Atlantic City Expressway.
To North Jersey and New York
NJ Transit’s 319 bus runs between Atlantic City and New York’s Port Authority, and the Garden State Parkway connects the county to the rest of the state.
Realistically, Atlantic County is not a daily New York commute. If you are coming down from the city, our NYC to NJ movers handle that route. It works best for people who work locally, work remotely, commute to Philadelphia, or travel north only occasionally.
What Should You Know About Living on the Barrier Island?
Beach towns come with a few things mainland towns do not.
- Flood insurance: if the home is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require it
- Elevated homes: many houses sit above flood level, which means exterior stairs
- Summer crowds: traffic and parking get much harder from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Seasonal neighbors: some blocks are quiet from fall through spring
Check the FEMA flood map for the exact address and get an insurance quote before you make an offer. Premiums can vary a lot from one house to the next.
Which Atlantic County Town Is Right for You?
- Families focused on schools: Linwood or Somers Point
- Families who want more house for the money: Egg Harbor Township
- First-time buyers: Galloway or Egg Harbor Township
- Philadelphia commuters: Hammonton
- Small-town downtown lovers: Hammonton
- Near the water, mainland prices: Somers Point
- Beach life: Margate or Ventnor
What Does Moving to Atlantic County Look Like?
From North Jersey or New York, a move to Atlantic County often covers more than 100 miles, so it is planned like a longer-distance move. That makes it a full-day job, and the timing matters.
A well-planned move generally follows this sequence:
- Early start at your current home – the crew reviews belongings, access, and anything that needs special handling.
- Furniture protection and loading – furniture is wrapped and large pieces are disassembled where necessary.
- The drive south – timing should account for Parkway traffic, especially on summer weekends.
- Arrival and access – the crew works around driveways, elevated entrances, or parking rules at the new home.
- Unloading by room – boxes and furniture go straight to the rooms they belong in.
- Reassembly – beds and other disassembled pieces are rebuilt where they belong.
If you are moving into a shore town, moving outside of summer makes the second half of the day much easier. Moving in December through February? Read our winter moving tips for NJ first.
Our Atlantic County movers handle moves into the county from across New Jersey and New York.
Atlantic County Moving Checklist
A Few Weeks Before Moving
- Confirm your new address and move-in date
- Check the flood zone and insurance if buying near the water
- Measure large furniture and doorways
- Decide what is coming and what is not (see our downsizing tips)
- Arrange storage if the new home is smaller or not ready yet
- Book your mover
- Transfer utilities
- Start packing
The Week of the Move
- Confirm access and parking at both homes
- Finish packing
- Label boxes by room
- Separate valuables and important documents
- Prepare a first-night bag
- Plan for pets or children
Moving Day
Keep these essentials with you:
- Identification
- Keys
- Important documents
- Medication
- Chargers
- Basic toiletries
- Pet essentials
Is Moving to Atlantic County Worth It?
It depends on what you want to gain.
Atlantic County can make sense if you value:
- More space for your money
- Being close to the beach
- A slower daily pace
- Small-town communities
- Access to Philadelphia
- Remote-work flexibility
It may make less sense if your priorities are:
- A daily New York commute
- Walkable city living
- Extensive public transit
- Nightlife beyond the casinos and shore season
The goal is not to find the best town on paper. It is to find the one that fits the way you actually want to live.
Still comparing the shore? See our guides to the best places to live in Ocean County and Monmouth County, or Burlington County if you want to be closer to Philadelphia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Atlantic County
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It depends on your priorities. Linwood is a common choice for families focused on schools. Hammonton suits people who want a small-town downtown and a train to Philadelphia. Egg Harbor Township and Galloway offer the most housing choice, and Margate and Ventnor are for people who want to live on the beach.
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Generally, yes. Zillow’s Atlantic County home value index was about $385,559 in August 2026, compared with about $580,353 for New Jersey overall. Beach towns on Absecon Island are the exception, with prices well above the county level.
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Yes. NJ Transit’s Atlantic City Rail Line runs to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station with stops in Atlantic City, Absecon, Egg Harbor City, and Hammonton. The ride from Hammonton is about 1 hour 5 minutes on the current weekday schedule.
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Among the towns in this guide, Linwood had the highest 2025 effective tax rate at 2.746%, followed by Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township. Margate had the lowest at 0.920%. Compare the actual tax on specific homes, since a lower rate on a pricier home can still mean a large bill.
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If the home is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Check the flood map for the specific address and get a quote before you make an offer.
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It is usually a full-day move, since the distance is often more than 100 miles. Loading time, Parkway traffic, and access at the new home all affect the schedule. Starting early and having everything packed before the crew arrives helps the day go smoothly.
