What it's like to live in Freehold
Freehold is a small city in New Jersey with crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Freehold deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Freehold compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Freehold
Based on Freehold's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,664
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $73,280 a year
- 51% of Freehold renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$83,360
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $41,680
- Homes cost 4.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 30% above US
$1,832/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,832 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices run above average, with a median around $416,800. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $416,800 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.7% county unemployment
Unemployment in Monmouth County is 4.7%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Monmouth County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 44% below US
184 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 933/100k · Freehold Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 13% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.5 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 9% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 84°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 25°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 18% below US
30% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 30%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
3 public schools inside the boundary
There are 3 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Gateway National Recreation Area (28 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Freehold's strongest points are crime rates well below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,832/mo) equals 26% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
Other places near Freehold
All New Jersey guides →Moving to West Freehold →
2 mi away · pop. 14,883
Rent $2,144/mo · Income $130,800
Compare with Freehold →Moving to Robertsville →
6 mi away · pop. 12,035
Rent $2,715/mo · Income $210,661
Compare with Freehold →Not sure Freehold is the one?
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