Before you decide to relocate to New Jersey, it’s important to research the exact cost of living around the state. And that’s what we’re going to help you do.
These are the places in New Jersey that cost a pretty penny — the most expensive cities in the state.
We used Saturday Night Science to compare the 2019-2023 American Community Survey on cost of living for the 257 places in New Jersey with more than 5,000 people.
After we saved up for months and could finally afford it, we landed on this list of the ten most expensive cities in New Jersey for 2025.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In New Jersey For 2025
What’s the most expensive place to live in New Jersey? Well, HomeSnacks crunched the numbers and discovered that Short Hills is the most expensive place to live in New Jersey.
Bridgeton (the cheapest place to live in New Jersey) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out some more reading about New Jersey and the most expensive cities in the country:
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In New Jersey For 2025
/10
Population: 14,398
Cost Of Living Index: 243
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $1,621,200
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.5x
More on Short Hills: Data
The overall cost of living in Short Hills is 243. The median income in Short Hills comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $1,621,200 for 2025.
/10
Population: 5,330
Cost Of Living Index: 218
Median Income: $222,192
Average Home Price: $1,232,700
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.5x
More on Englewood Cliffs: Data
The overall cost of living in Englewood Cliffs is 218. The median income in Englewood Cliffs comes in at $222,192 and the average home value is $1,232,700 for 2025.
/10
Population: 7,265
Cost Of Living Index: 208
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $1,609,400
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.4x
More on Rumson: Data
The overall cost of living in Rumson is 208. The median income in Rumson comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $1,609,400 for 2025.
/10
Population: 11,011
Cost Of Living Index: 207
Median Income: $230,987
Average Home Price: $1,217,500
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.3x
More on Franklin Lakes: Data
The overall cost of living in Franklin Lakes is 207. The median income in Franklin Lakes comes in at $230,987 and the average home value is $1,217,500 for 2025.
/10
Population: 8,354
Cost Of Living Index: 200
Median Income: $246,719
Average Home Price: $1,101,800
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.5x
More on Upper Saddle River: Data
The overall cost of living in Upper Saddle River is 200. The median income in Upper Saddle River comes in at $246,719 and the average home value is $1,101,800 for 2025.
/10
Population: 6,622
Cost Of Living Index: 193
Median Income: $203,140
Average Home Price: $906,100
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.5x
More on North Caldwell: Data
The overall cost of living in North Caldwell is 193. The median income in North Caldwell comes in at $203,140 and the average home value is $906,100 for 2025.
/10
Population: 6,097
Cost Of Living Index: 185
Median Income: $211,233
Average Home Price: $901,800
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.3x
More on Woodcliff Lake: Data
The overall cost of living in Woodcliff Lake is 185. The median income in Woodcliff Lake comes in at $211,233 and the average home value is $901,800 for 2025.
/10
Population: 22,512
Cost Of Living Index: 183
Median Income: $199,107
Average Home Price: $969,900
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.9x
More on Summit: Data
The overall cost of living in Summit is 183. The median income in Summit comes in at $199,107 and the average home value is $969,900 for 2025.
/10
Population: 26,076
Cost Of Living Index: 178
Median Income: $217,250
Average Home Price: $882,700
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.1x
More on Ridgewood: Data
The overall cost of living in Ridgewood is 178. The median income in Ridgewood comes in at $217,250 and the average home value is $882,700 for 2025.
/10
Population: 5,896
Cost Of Living Index: 178
Median Income: $199,250
Average Home Price: $910,600
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.6x
More on Old Tappan: Data
The overall cost of living in Old Tappan is 178. The median income in Old Tappan comes in at $199,250 and the average home value is $910,600 for 2025.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Garden State For 2025
The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford a city in New Jersey are:
- How much money do I make?
- How much do I have to spend to live there?
You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make.
For example, if the median household earns $100,000 and spends $40,000 on housing, it’s actually cheaper to live there than a place with a median income of $50,000 and housing costs of $21,000. You might spend more on housing, but you have more money overall to play with.
With that example in mind, we derived several statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2019-2023 around incomes and costs. They are:
- Overall Cost Of Living Index
- Median Home Price / Median Income (lower is better)
- Median Income / Median Rent (Higher is better)
- Median Home Price
You can then compare these metrics in each of the places in New Jersey to figure out which is the most expensive.
You are left with a “Cost of Living Index” by taking the average rank of each of these metrics for each city.
So we used that cost of living index to rank all of the 257 places in New Jersey that have more than 5,000 people.
The place with the highest cost of living in New Jersey according to the data is Short Hills. We updated this article for 2025. This article is our tenth time ranking the most expensive places to live in New Jersey.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In New Jersey For 2025
Well, there you have it, the places in New Jersey that have the highest cost of living, with Short Hills ranking as the most expensive city in the Garden State.
The most expensive cities in New Jersey are Short Hills, Englewood Cliffs, Rumson, Franklin Lakes, Upper Saddle River, North Caldwell, Woodcliff Lake, Summit, Ridgewood, and Old Tappan.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in New Jersey according to the data:
- Bridgeton
- Crestwood Village
- Millville
For more New Jersey reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In New Jersey
- Cheapest Places To Live In New Jersey
- Most Dangerous Cities In New Jersey
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New Jersey
- Safest Places In New Jersey
- Worst Places To Live In New Jersey
Most Expensive Cities In New Jersey
| Rank | City | Cost Of Living | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Home/Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Short Hills | 243 | 14,398 | $250,001 | $1,621,200 | 6.5x |
| 2 | Englewood Cliffs | 218 | 5,330 | $222,192 | $1,232,700 | 5.5x |
| 3 | Rumson | 208 | 7,265 | $250,001 | $1,609,400 | 6.4x |
| 4 | Franklin Lakes | 207 | 11,011 | $230,987 | $1,217,500 | 5.3x |
| 5 | Upper Saddle River | 200 | 8,354 | $246,719 | $1,101,800 | 4.5x |
| 6 | North Caldwell | 193 | 6,622 | $203,140 | $906,100 | 4.5x |
| 7 | Woodcliff Lake | 185 | 6,097 | $211,233 | $901,800 | 4.3x |
| 8 | Summit | 183 | 22,512 | $199,107 | $969,900 | 4.9x |
| 9 | Ridgewood | 178 | 26,076 | $217,250 | $882,700 | 4.1x |
| 10 | Old Tappan | 178 | 5,896 | $199,250 | $910,600 | 4.6x |
| 11 | Tenafly | 177 | 15,252 | $208,088 | $974,300 | 4.7x |
| 12 | Watchung | 175 | 6,429 | $166,536 | $833,300 | 5.0x |
| 13 | Fair Haven | 173 | 6,182 | $237,132 | $943,300 | 4.0x |
| 14 | Upper Montclair | 170 | 12,279 | $250,001 | $968,200 | 3.9x |
| 15 | Westfield | 169 | 30,760 | $212,700 | $930,500 | 4.4x |
| 16 | Blackwells Mills | 169 | 10,220 | $248,149 | $736,000 | 3.0x |
| 17 | Chatham | 169 | 9,219 | $250,001 | $944,300 | 3.8x |
| 18 | Closter | 168 | 8,544 | $187,500 | $820,100 | 4.4x |
| 19 | Allendale | 168 | 6,820 | $156,992 | $764,600 | 4.9x |
| 20 | Little Silver | 168 | 6,096 | $220,746 | $870,700 | 3.9x |
| 21 | Mountainside | 167 | 6,967 | $210,100 | $755,600 | 3.6x |
| 22 | Hoboken | 166 | 58,340 | $176,943 | $872,100 | 4.9x |
| 23 | Bernardsville | 166 | 7,871 | $231,006 | $737,600 | 3.2x |
| 24 | Madison | 164 | 16,464 | $168,469 | $882,900 | 5.2x |
| 25 | Glen Rock | 164 | 12,082 | $210,369 | $817,300 | 3.9x |
| 26 | Florham Park | 163 | 13,134 | $147,714 | $722,700 | 4.9x |
| 27 | Norwood | 162 | 5,668 | $164,766 | $676,400 | 4.1x |
| 28 | Morganville | 160 | 5,544 | $134,911 | $575,900 | 4.3x |
| 29 | Paramus | 159 | 26,500 | $139,707 | $736,000 | 5.3x |
| 30 | Montvale | 159 | 8,625 | $183,664 | $688,500 | 3.7x |
| 31 | Glen Ridge | 159 | 7,827 | $248,016 | $730,600 | 2.9x |
| 32 | Manasquan | 158 | 5,915 | $156,542 | $947,100 | 6.1x |
| 33 | Cresskill | 156 | 9,101 | $173,293 | $764,800 | 4.4x |
| 34 | Edgewater | 155 | 14,544 | $137,847 | $723,400 | 5.2x |
| 35 | Ramsey | 154 | 14,722 | $164,767 | $665,700 | 4.0x |
| 36 | Martinsville | 154 | 12,016 | $206,839 | $702,700 | 3.4x |
| 37 | Oradell | 154 | 8,197 | $214,736 | $702,400 | 3.3x |
| 38 | Belmar | 154 | 5,861 | $92,859 | $771,400 | 8.3x |
| 39 | Park Ridge | 152 | 9,218 | $165,391 | $666,200 | 4.0x |
| 40 | Kinnelon | 151 | 9,971 | $178,102 | $682,600 | 3.8x |
| 41 | New Providence | 150 | 13,577 | $162,877 | $734,300 | 4.5x |
| 42 | Fanwood | 150 | 7,714 | $176,667 | $610,600 | 3.5x |
| 43 | Hillsdale | 149 | 10,086 | $169,862 | $656,800 | 3.9x |
| 44 | Belle Mead | 148 | 6,772 | $219,215 | $777,600 | 3.5x |
| 45 | Palisades Park | 147 | 20,192 | $101,295 | $704,400 | 7.0x |
| 46 | Emerson | 147 | 7,263 | $153,963 | $626,000 | 4.1x |
| 47 | Oceanport | 147 | 6,130 | $156,196 | $685,800 | 4.4x |
| 48 | Ocean City | 145 | 11,260 | $101,782 | $719,100 | 7.1x |
| 49 | Haddonfield | 144 | 12,502 | $190,882 | $708,800 | 3.7x |
| 50 | Robertsville | 144 | 11,859 | $204,421 | $645,100 | 3.2x |
| 51 | Waldwick | 144 | 10,090 | $155,526 | $576,200 | 3.7x |
| 52 | Midland Park | 144 | 6,996 | $140,063 | $586,200 | 4.2x |
| 53 | Morris Plains | 144 | 6,214 | $149,623 | $609,700 | 4.1x |
| 54 | Roseland | 144 | 6,211 | $160,644 | $640,600 | 4.0x |
| 55 | Bradley Gardens | 143 | 14,315 | $177,590 | $508,800 | 2.9x |
| 56 | Ridgefield | 143 | 11,439 | $115,676 | $609,700 | 5.3x |
| 57 | Westwood | 143 | 11,221 | $169,026 | $587,700 | 3.5x |
| 58 | Leonia | 143 | 9,300 | $116,429 | $634,500 | 5.4x |
| 59 | River Edge | 142 | 12,024 | $155,827 | $637,500 | 4.1x |
| 60 | Yorketown | 142 | 7,265 | $163,375 | $575,700 | 3.5x |
| 61 | Green Knoll | 142 | 6,664 | $156,630 | $581,600 | 3.7x |
| 62 | Rutherford | 140 | 18,748 | $136,069 | $580,800 | 4.3x |
| 63 | North Haledon | 140 | 8,757 | $131,810 | $517,200 | 3.9x |
| 64 | Franklin Center | 140 | 5,770 | $138,643 | $565,200 | 4.1x |
| 65 | Secaucus | 138 | 21,437 | $134,746 | $557,800 | 4.1x |
| 66 | Oakland | 138 | 12,700 | $162,862 | $567,200 | 3.5x |
| 67 | Monmouth Junction | 138 | 9,457 | $125,892 | $497,100 | 3.9x |
| 68 | Caldwell | 138 | 8,898 | $101,196 | $563,000 | 5.6x |
| 69 | Heathcote | 138 | 6,689 | $127,391 | $563,500 | 4.4x |
| 70 | Fort Dix | 137 | 8,034 | $98,259 | $0 | nanx |
| 71 | Lincroft | 137 | 6,901 | $168,945 | $719,000 | 4.3x |
| 72 | Fair Lawn | 136 | 35,153 | $147,952 | $532,700 | 3.6x |
| 73 | Cliffside Park | 136 | 25,580 | $94,960 | $577,200 | 6.1x |
| 74 | Metuchen | 136 | 14,982 | $157,779 | $565,400 | 3.6x |
| 75 | Hasbrouck Heights | 136 | 12,067 | $118,670 | $508,500 | 4.3x |
| 76 | Lakewood | 135 | 69,884 | $57,576 | $618,400 | 10.7x |
| 77 | Dayton | 135 | 8,241 | $141,308 | $471,700 | 3.3x |
| 78 | Margate City | 135 | 5,260 | $114,417 | $645,200 | 5.6x |
| 79 | West Freehold | 134 | 14,233 | $120,570 | $507,600 | 4.2x |
| 80 | Succasunna | 134 | 9,866 | $164,555 | $483,300 | 2.9x |
| 81 | Carlstadt | 134 | 6,343 | $94,854 | $523,800 | 5.5x |
| 82 | Morristown | 133 | 20,256 | $115,409 | $552,800 | 4.8x |
| 83 | Hawthorne | 133 | 19,472 | $118,093 | $499,200 | 4.2x |
| 84 | Woodland Park | 133 | 13,284 | $85,638 | $475,400 | 5.6x |
| 85 | Wood-Ridge | 133 | 10,094 | $131,412 | $532,900 | 4.1x |
| 86 | West Long Branch | 133 | 8,576 | $123,661 | $631,300 | 5.1x |
| 87 | East Rutherford | 132 | 10,154 | $91,789 | $453,500 | 4.9x |
| 88 | Englewood | 131 | 29,342 | $101,398 | $497,500 | 4.9x |
| 89 | Point Pleasant | 131 | 19,158 | $108,713 | $523,400 | 4.8x |
| 90 | New Milford | 131 | 16,882 | $113,513 | $554,800 | 4.9x |
| 91 | Springdale | 131 | 15,672 | $179,531 | $454,200 | 2.5x |
| 92 | Red Bank | 131 | 12,864 | $101,738 | $477,000 | 4.7x |
| 93 | Brookdale | 131 | 10,044 | $150,489 | $527,200 | 3.5x |
| 94 | Dumont | 130 | 18,072 | $125,585 | $469,900 | 3.7x |
| 95 | Moorestown-Lenola | 130 | 14,523 | $134,167 | $533,400 | 4.0x |
| 96 | Totowa | 130 | 10,919 | $114,177 | $507,700 | 4.4x |
| 97 | Kendall Park | 130 | 10,765 | $175,361 | $555,100 | 3.2x |
| 98 | Maywood | 130 | 10,042 | $119,306 | $495,700 | 4.2x |
| 99 | Strathmore | 130 | 6,593 | $155,048 | $503,600 | 3.2x |
| 100 | North Arlington | 129 | 16,368 | $101,493 | $464,700 | 4.6x |