What is the cost of living in Metuchen, NJ?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Metuchen has an overall cost of living index of 149, which is 1.5x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to New Jersey, Metuchen has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than New Jersey's index of 125.
The standard of living in Metuchen ranks as #195 most affordable out of the 262 places we measured in New Jersey. By definition, that implies Metuchen ranks as the #67 most expensive place in the Garden State.
For more reading on life in Metuchen, check out:
Metuchen Cost Of Living Vs. New Jersey
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Metuchen. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Metuchen is 106.
The Groceries index in Metuchen is 108.
The Health index in Metuchen is 236.
The Housing index in Metuchen is 117.
The Transportation index in Metuchen is 111.
The Utilities index in Metuchen is 116.
| Living Expense | Metuchen | New Jersey | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 149 | 125 | 100 |
| Services | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 113 | 100 |
| Health | 236 | 155 | 100 |
| Housing | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 113 | 100 |
Metuchen 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 Metuchen Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Metuchen, 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 Metuchen is $683,090.
The Median Rent in Metuchen is $2,078.
The Median Income in Metuchen is $158,052.
The Home Value To Income in Metuchen is 4.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Metuchen is 0.16x.
| Statistic | Metuchen | New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $683,090 | $569,411 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $2,078 | $1,720 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $158,052 | $103,556 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.3x | 5.5x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.16x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Metuchen, NJ Costs By Category
Detailed Metuchen Services costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Metuchen | 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 Metuchen Groceries costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Metuchen | 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 Metuchen Health costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Metuchen | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $129.93 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $124.1 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $129.94 | $113.29 |
Detailed Metuchen Transportation costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Metuchen | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.41 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $72.38 | $59.92 |
Detailed Metuchen Utilities costs vs. New Jersey
| Item | Metuchen | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $223.08 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $186.61 | $192.25 |
Metuchen SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Metuchen
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Metuchen. 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, 0.8x Metuchen.
Westfield, NJ has a cost of living index of 182, 1.2x Metuchen.
South Plainfield, NJ has a cost of living index of 136, 0.9x Metuchen.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Metuchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy, NJ | 55,855 | 120 | 0.8x |
| Westfield, NJ | 31,111 | 182 | 1.2x |
| South Plainfield, NJ | 24,473 | 136 | 0.9x |
| Woodbridge, NJ | 20,756 | 126 | 0.8x |
| Iselin, NJ | 19,551 | 131 | 0.9x |
| Colonia, NJ | 18,587 | 136 | 0.9x |
| Avenel, NJ | 17,121 | 121 | 0.8x |
| Highland Park, NJ | 15,121 | 134 | 0.9x |
| Middlesex, NJ | 14,645 | 128 | 0.9x |
| Bradley Gardens, NJ | 14,165 | 152 | 1.0x |
