The means test in New Jersey: median income

The official median income for New Jersey, a quick first-step check and what happens if your income is above it.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

Official medians for New Jersey from the U.S. Trustee Program. Below the median for your household size means you pass the first step.

1 person
$87,173
2 people
$106,876
3 people
$137,136
4 people
$168,127
Each extra person
+$11,100
Medians apply to cases filed on or after
April 1, 2026

Are you below the New Jersey median?

Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in New Jersey. Here are the official medians:

  • 1 person$87,173
  • 2 people$106,876
  • 3 people$137,136
  • 4 people$168,127
  • Each extra person+$11,100

Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4

The numbers are worked out in your browser. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent.

Before taxes. Add up all income for the last 6 months and divide by 6.

Enter your household size and income

Which court you file in, in New Jersey

New Jersey has one bankruptcy court with three offices. You file there if you lived (were domiciled) in New Jersey for most of the 180 days before filing. Your county (and in some places your town or ZIP code) decides whether you file in Newark, Trenton or Camden. See the court's 'Where to File - By County' list: https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/sites/njb/files/Where%20to%20File%20By%20County%20and%20Shared%20Zip%20Codes%20revised%208-24-24.pdf

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey

Divisions: Newark, Trenton, Camden (by county; parts of Burlington, Atlantic, Warren and Union counties are split by town and ZIP code)

Clerk's phone: (973) 645-4764 (Newark); (609) 858-9333 (Trenton); (856) 361-2300 (Camden)

Court's self-help page

What you can keep in New Jersey

In New Jersey you choose state or federal exemptions (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).

Home (homestead): none — New Jersey state law has no homestead exemption for the equity in your home.

Wildcard (any property): $1,000 in goods and chattels, shares of stock or corporate interests and personal property of any kind (not counting clothing)

Exemptions in New Jersey

In nearby states

  • Delaware: 1 person $69,515 · 2 people $94,877 · 3 people $111,273 · 4 people $132,244
  • Maryland: 1 person $86,928 · 2 people $114,611 · 3 people $135,949 · 4 people $166,173
  • Connecticut: 1 person $84,302 · 2 people $106,224 · 3 people $134,470 · 4 people $159,934
  • District of Columbia: 1 person $85,391 · 2 people $161,397 · 3 people $161,397 · 4 people $166,598
  • Pennsylvania: 1 person $72,230 · 2 people $87,534 · 3 people $110,151 · 4 people $135,862
  • Rhode Island: 1 person $77,653 · 2 people $98,736 · 3 people $119,419 · 4 people $137,479

What to do now in New Jersey

  1. Gather your income

    Use pay stubs and benefit letters for the 6 full months before you file.

  2. Start with Form 122A-1

    The court uses Official Form 122A-1.

  3. When income is higher

    The second step subtracts allowed expenses on Official Form 122A-2.

  4. Where the forms go

    The forms are filed with U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.

Free help in New Jersey

Questions about the means test in New Jersey

What is the homestead exemption in New Jersey?

None. New Jersey state law has no homestead exemption for the equity in your home.

Where do I file bankruptcy in New Jersey?

New Jersey has one bankruptcy court with three offices. You file there if you lived (were domiciled) in New Jersey for most of the 180 days before filing. Your county (and in some places your town or ZIP code) decides whether you file in Newark, Trenton or Camden. See the court's 'Where to File - By County' list: https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/sites/njb/files/Where%20to%20File%20By%20County%20and%20Shared%20Zip%20Codes%20revised%208-24-24.pdf

What income passes the means test in New Jersey?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $87,173; 2 people: $106,876; 3 people: $137,136; 4 people: $168,127; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Where can I get free help with bankruptcy in New Jersey?

Legal Services of New Jersey (statewide network of free legal aid offices; LSNJLAW hotline), U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D.N.J.: Resources for Legal Assistance (Newark area: legal aid offices and county bar lawyer referral numbers) and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D.N.J.: Resources for Legal Assistance (Trenton area).

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