If you’re working in Philadelphia but the city’s housing prices (and parking nightmares) are wearing you down, you’re not alone. Many of our clients make the jump across the river to South Jersey when they’re ready to buy their first home.
And when budget is top of mind, a few towns come up again and again as “affordable” options. Of course, affordable is relative—it depends on your situation—but these are the towns where our clients have been able to find homes that fit their budget while still keeping an easy commute into the city. So here are the 6 South Jersey towns that our clients have turned to when affordability was key:
1. Gloucester City
Just across the Walt Whitman Bridge, Gloucester City is one of the closest South Jersey towns to Philadelphia. Many clients start here because the location is so convenient—Center City is literally 10 minutes away by car!
The housing stock includes plenty of rowhomes and smaller single-family houses, which often come in at lower price points than neighboring towns. For first-time buyers, Gloucester City has been a solid entry point into homeownership. In July 2025, the average sold price of a home was $287,000, and if you're looking for a condo or townhome (i.e. an "attached property"), that number drops to around $226,000.
We also predict significant price appreciation in this area over the coming years, so Gloucester City might be the perfect place to jump on that property ladder and start accruing equity.
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2. Mt. Ephraim
Nestled between Route 76 and I-295, Mt. Ephraim is in an incredibly convenient spot to access all of South Jersey's amenities. Not only that, the Walt Whitman Bridge is a mere 5 minutes away, putting the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers right on your doorstep!
Our clients have chosen the small town of Mt. Ephraim as a favorite budget-friendly spot, with easy access to Haddon Lake Park for the nature lovers/dog walkers, and all those amenities right along Black Horse Pike right there.
At time of posting (8/30/2025) there are only 9 homes for sale in Mt. Ephraim, which doesn't give you a ton of choice, but with an average home sale of around $330,000, it makes owning a single-family home in South Jersey more affordable than surrounding towns, like Audubon and Oaklyn.
3. Pennsauken
Pennsauken comes up often for buyers who want commuting options. Not only is it close to the Betsy Ross and Ben Franklin Bridges, but the River Line Light Rail and NJ Transit buses give commuters multiple ways into the city.
Housing here is diverse: you’ll find Cape Cods, split-levels, and townhomes at more approachable prices than in some of the neighboring Camden County towns. That mix has made Pennsauken a consistent “affordable but convenient” choice for our clients. In July 2025, the average sold price of homes in Pennsauken NJ was $305,112.
4. Palmyra
Along the Delaware River, Palmyra offers quick access into Northeast Philly via the Tacony–Palmyra Bridge, making it especially popular for those commuting into that side of the city.
The River Line also runs right through Palmyra, giving residents another option for car-free commuting. Many of our clients have described Palmyra as an affordable way to be close to the city while still enjoying the perks of suburban living.
Neighboring towns are also popular choices: Riverton, Riverside, Delanco, and Pennsauken (mentioned above). The average sold price in July 2025 for Palmyra NJ homes was just around $330,000.
5. Bellmawr
For buyers on a budget, Bellmawr is another town that frequently makes the list. With direct access to major highways like Route 42, 295, and the Turnpike, getting into Philly—or anywhere in South Jersey—is a breeze.
Clients who purchased here appreciated the practical side: smaller, budget-friendly homes that kept their monthly costs down while still putting them in a highly connected location. The average sold price of Bellmawr NJ homes was $283,975 in July 2025.
6. Lindenwold
Even though it's about 10-15 minutes further out than the other towns mentioned above, Lindenwold New Jersey is still commuter-friendly thanks to the PATCO Speedline station that sits on the Lindenwold/Stratford* border. The direct train access into Center City Philadelphia is a big perk, especially for those who don’t want to rely on driving.
Homes here have typically been more affordable compared to towns along the inner PATCO stops (in July 2025, the average sold price of Lindenwold homes was just $202,000!), and that price difference has helped many clients take the leap into homeownership.
*Stratford is another popular town among our budget-conscious clients, with its average sold price in July 2025 being $332,460.
Wrapping It Up
For our clients, these six towns have provided more budget-friendly options while still keeping the daily commute to Philadelphia manageable. Whether it’s hopping on PATCO in Lindenwold, crossing the bridge from Gloucester City, or catching the River Line in Palmyra, these towns have been the go-to choices when affordability is the priority.
If you want more info about any of these towns, send us a message here, or just the form below to start your house hunt with one of The JFKLiving Team real estate agents.
