Living in Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey: What Bucks County Home Buyers Should Know

Originally published March 28, 2020. Updated September 2026 with current tax, commuting and Bucks County real estate information.

Moving From New Jersey to Bucks County, Pennsylvania

If you are thinking about moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, Bucks County is one of the first areas worth comparing. It sits directly across the Delaware River from New Jersey, yet offers a wide range of housing choices, from established neighborhoods and walkable towns to newer construction, townhomes and 55+ communities.

I regularly work with buyers who want to stay close to New Jersey while making Pennsylvania their home. For many of them, the decision comes down to housing costs, property taxes, commuting, lifestyle and finding the right Bucks County town or community.

Buyers who want to stay close to New Jersey often focus on New Hope, Washington Crossing, Yardley, Newtown and Langhorne. Each area offers a different mix of homes, shopping, commuting options and access to the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border.

This guide looks at the practical differences between living in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with a particular focus on buyers considering Bucks County.

Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey at a Glance

Property Taxes in Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey

Property taxes are one of the biggest reasons New Jersey buyers ask me about Bucks County. The difference can be meaningful, but it is important not to assume that every Pennsylvania home automatically has low taxes.

According to the Tax Foundation's 2026 state comparison, based on the latest available owner-occupied housing data, Pennsylvania's statewide effective property-tax rate is about 1.26%, compared with about 1.88% in New Jersey.

Those statewide numbers are useful for comparison, but they do not tell you what a particular house will cost. In Bucks County, property taxes can vary significantly based on the municipality, school district, assessed value and the individual property.

When I help a buyer compare homes, I prefer to look at the actual tax bill for each property rather than make a decision based only on a statewide average.

Income Taxes and Working in New Jersey

Pennsylvania currently has a flat 3.07% state personal income-tax rate. New Jersey uses graduated individual income-tax rates that range from 1.4% to 10.75%, depending on taxable income.

Another important consideration for buyers who plan to live in Pennsylvania but continue working in New Jersey is the reciprocal compensation agreement between the two states. In general, employee compensation covered by the agreement is taxed by the employee's state of residence rather than the state where the job is located.

That agreement applies to employee compensation and does not necessarily apply to every type of income. Pennsylvania municipalities may also impose local earned-income taxes. Anyone making a move primarily for tax reasons should review their individual situation with a qualified tax professional.

Why Bucks County Appeals to New Jersey Buyers

Bucks County gives buyers the ability to live in Pennsylvania without feeling disconnected from New Jersey. Depending on where you live, crossing the Delaware River can be part of a normal daily routine.

Major crossings in this part of the county include the New Hope-Lambertville Route 202 bridge, the Scudder Falls I-295 bridge and the Route 1 Trenton-Morrisville bridge. That makes areas along the eastern side of Bucks County particularly attractive to buyers who still have family, work or other commitments in New Jersey.

Bucks County also gives buyers very different lifestyle choices within a relatively compact area. You can live near the restaurants and shops of New Hope or Newtown, choose a suburban neighborhood in Yardley or Langhorne, find a 55+ community, or consider newer construction farther inland.

Bucks County Towns to Consider When Moving From New Jersey

New Hope

New Hope sits directly along the Delaware River across from Lambertville, New Jersey. It is one of the best-known Bucks County destinations and appeals to buyers who want restaurants, shops, arts, history and easy access back into New Jersey. The surrounding New Hope-Solebury area also offers single-family homes, larger properties and established neighborhoods outside the center of town.

Washington Crossing and Upper Makefield

Washington Crossing and Upper Makefield are popular with buyers who want a quieter residential setting while remaining close to New Jersey. I-295 and the Scudder Falls Bridge provide convenient access across the river, and Newtown is also nearby for shopping, dining and services.

Yardley

Yardley is another strong option for buyers who need regular access to New Jersey. The borough has a small downtown along the Delaware River, while the surrounding Lower Makefield area offers a much broader selection of neighborhoods and homes. The SEPTA West Trenton Line also serves Yardley.

Newtown

Newtown is not directly on the Delaware River, but it remains convenient to I-295 and New Jersey. Buyers are often drawn to the restaurants, shops and coffee spots around Newtown Borough as well as the larger selection of single-family homes, townhomes and communities throughout Newtown Township.

Langhorne

Langhorne offers convenient access to Route 1 and I-295 and includes a wide range of established neighborhoods, townhomes and 55+ options in the surrounding area. SEPTA's West Trenton Line serves both Langhorne and nearby Woodbourne stations.

Commuting From Bucks County to New Jersey and New York

If you are moving to Bucks County but still need to travel regularly to New Jersey, the exact location of the house matters. A home five or ten minutes closer to a bridge or major highway can make a noticeable difference in a daily commute.

For travel toward New York City, it is also important to understand the train options before choosing a home. Bucks County does not have one simple direct commuter train from Yardley or Langhorne to Manhattan. SEPTA's West Trenton Line serves Yardley, Woodbourne and Langhorne and continues into West Trenton, New Jersey.

NJ Transit operates Northeast Corridor service from Trenton toward Newark and New York Penn Station. Depending on where a buyer lives and works, driving to or connecting through a New Jersey station may be part of the commute.

If commuting is important to your move, I recommend mapping the trip from the actual house rather than judging a town only by its name.

55+ Communities for Buyers Moving From New Jersey

Bucks County is also popular with New Jersey buyers looking for a 55+ or active adult community. School districts may be less important for these buyers, while first-floor living, amenities, location and access to family in New Jersey often move higher on the list.

Communities close to the New Jersey side of Bucks County include Traditions at Washington Crossing and Regency at Yardley. Fox Run Preserve in the New Hope area offers another option for buyers who prefer a quieter community close to downtown New Hope.

You can compare more options on my Bucks County 55+ and active adult communities page. I also recently put together a guide to Bucks County 55+ communities with strong amenities.

Townhomes and New Construction in Bucks County

Not every buyer moving from New Jersey wants a traditional single-family home. Bucks County has a large selection of townhome communities, including newer developments as well as established neighborhoods close to shopping and major roads.

You can explore Bucks County townhomes for sale or see new construction homes and communities in Bucks County.

For new construction, buyers should remember that the sales representative at the model home represents the builder. Having your own buyer representation from the beginning gives you someone focused on your side of the transaction.

Is Pennsylvania Less Expensive Than New Jersey?

Sometimes, but there is no universal answer.

A buyer may find a Bucks County house with a lower property-tax bill than a comparable New Jersey property, but the overall cost of living depends on much more than one tax number. Home price, insurance, commuting costs, HOA fees, utilities and the specific municipality all matter.

That is why I prefer to compare actual properties. If you are considering a $700,000 home in New Jersey and a $700,000 home in Bucks County, we can compare the real estate taxes, monthly carrying costs, location and commute side by side.

What Should You Consider Before Moving From New Jersey to Bucks County?

Start with the things that will affect your day-to-day life. How often do you need to cross into New Jersey? Do you want to be near a downtown, or would you rather have more land and privacy? Are you looking for a single-family home, townhome, new construction or a 55+ community? Is a first-floor primary bedroom important?

The answers usually narrow the search much faster than simply saying you want to live somewhere in Bucks County.

For a broader look at the market, towns, home types and buying process, you can also read my 2026 guide to buying a home in Bucks County.

Thinking About Moving From New Jersey to Bucks County?

If you are considering a move from New Jersey to Bucks County, I can help you compare towns, communities and individual homes based on the things that matter most to you, including taxes, commute, home style, amenities and proximity to New Jersey. I work with buyers throughout Bucks County and can help you narrow down the areas that make the most sense before you spend time touring homes. Contact me if you'd like to talk about what you're looking for, or search current Bucks County homes for sale.

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Sources and notes: Tax information referenced in this article is based on information from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, the New Jersey Division of Taxation and the Tax Foundation. Transportation information is based on SEPTA and NJ Transit resources. Tax laws, schedules, tolls and individual property taxes can change. Always verify information that is important to your decision.