F
43%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
143%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Morristown New Jersey National
Cost of living143121100
Goods & Services100106100
Groceries102102100
Health care9999100
Housing243158100
Transportation95103100
Utilities102107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Morristown, NJ

Understanding the cost of living in Morristown can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Morristown cost of living index is 143, which is 43% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Morristown may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Morristown falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Morristown cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 142.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Morristown Affordable?

Is Morristown an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Morristown is 159.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 104.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Morristown has a median household income of $111,130, which is 100.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Morristown?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Morristown, the transportation index is 4.7% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Morristown, healthcare costs are 0.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Morristown cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Morristown is 18% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Morristown is 43% higher than the national average
  • Morristown housing is 143% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey general sales tax is 30% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey state income tax is 46% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Morristown

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Compare Morristown, NJ Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$165,038$13,753$3,851$4,952
      Renters$83,978$6,998$1,959$2,520
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Morristown, NJ, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Morristown, the median monthly income is $165,038 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,851 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $83,978, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,959 on monthly rental expenses.

      New Jersey Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Jersey 6.625% 12.625%

      New Jersey Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Jersey 1.4% 10.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Morristown National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.17$24.2620.2%
      Beauty Salon $40.36$45.5611.4%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.2%
      Shampoo $1.44$1.2812.1%
      Movie $14.15$12.1316.6%
      Bowling $25.03$18.0039.0%

      Groceries

      Item Morristown National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.64$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.571.4%
      Milk $4.74$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $5.21$4.935.7%
      Pizza $11.49$12.094.9%
      Beer $11.66$10.4112.0%

      Health Care

      Item Morristown National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.11$125.6816.4%
      Doctor $117.94$135.7813.1%
      Dentist $121.22$113.297.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.05$10.653.7%
      Lipitor $427.79$468.608.7%

      Housing

      Item Morristown National avg. Difference
      Home Price $479,100.00$184,700.00159.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,303.56$2,346.6940.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,941.00$949.00104.5%

      Transportation

      Item Morristown National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.45$3.460.2%
      Tire Balancing $77.33$59.9229.1%

      Utilities

      Item Morristown National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $230.68$193.9918.9%
      Phone $186.61$192.252.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Victory Gardens, NJ1,6041011.2%
      East Orange, NJ64,65011111.1%
      Roselle, NJ21,69911212.0%
      Hopatcong, NJ14,22811211.7%
      Netcong, NJ3,16711211.8%
      Morristown, NJ19,06514342.9%

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      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Valle Vista, CA19,07211212.2%
      Saint-Colomban, QC19,057n/a 
      Sherrelwood, CO19,08211817.5%
      Mesquite, NV19,0871099.5%
      Phelan, CA19,03812222.3%
      Morristown, NJ19,06514342.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.