What is the cost of living in Fords, NJ?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Fords has an overall cost of living index of 129, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to New Jersey, Fords has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than New Jersey's index of 125.
The standard of living in Fords ranks as #110 most affordable out of the 262 places we measured in New Jersey. By definition, that implies Fords ranks as the #152 most expensive place in the Garden State.
For more reading on life in Fords, check out:
Fords Cost Of Living Vs. New Jersey
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Fords. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Fords is 107.
The Groceries index in Fords is 110.
The Health index in Fords is 172.
The Housing index in Fords is 118.
The Transportation index in Fords is 107.
The Utilities index in Fords is 116.
| Living Expense | Fords | New Jersey | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 129 | 125 | 100 |
| Services | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 113 | 100 |
| Health | 172 | 155 | 100 |
| Housing | 118 | 116 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 113 | 100 |
Fords Cost Of Living Compared To New Jersey Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around New Jersey, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Fords Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Fords, NJ Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in New Jersey, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Fords is $531,081.
The Median Rent in Fords is $1,913.
The Median Income in Fords is $115,861.
The Home Value To Income in Fords is 4.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Fords is 0.2x.
| Statistic | Fords | New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $531,081 | $569,411 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,913 | $1,720 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $115,861 | $103,556 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.6x | 5.5x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.2x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Fords, NJ Costs By Category
Detailed Fords Services costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Fords | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.53 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $14.53 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $20.98 | $18 |
| Haircut | $30.25 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $53.0 | $45.56 |
Detailed Fords Groceries costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Fords | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.13 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.41 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.7 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.32 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $12.59 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $11.12 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.75 | $3.7 |
Detailed Fords Health costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Fords | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $129.93 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $124.1 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $129.94 | $113.29 |
Detailed Fords Transportation costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Fords | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.41 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $72.38 | $59.92 |
Detailed Fords Utilities costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Fords | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $223.08 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $186.61 | $192.25 |
Fords SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Fords
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Fords. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Perth Amboy, NJ has a cost of living index of 120, 0.9x Fords.
Westfield, NJ has a cost of living index of 182, 1.4x Fords.
Rahway, NJ has a cost of living index of 118, 0.9x Fords.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Fords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy, NJ | 55,855 | 120 | 0.9x |
| Westfield, NJ | 31,111 | 182 | 1.4x |
| Rahway, NJ | 30,109 | 118 | 0.9x |
| Woodbridge, NJ | 20,756 | 126 | 1.0x |
| Iselin, NJ | 19,551 | 131 | 1.0x |
| Colonia, NJ | 18,587 | 136 | 1.1x |
| Avenel, NJ | 17,121 | 121 | 0.9x |
| Metuchen, NJ | 15,144 | 149 | 1.2x |
| Middlesex, NJ | 14,645 | 128 | 1.0x |
| Bradley Gardens, NJ | 14,165 | 152 | 1.2x |
