F
68%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
212%
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 Paramus New Jersey National
Cost of living168121100
Goods & Services107106100
Groceries102102100
Health care9699100
Housing312158100
Transportation108103100
Utilities111107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Paramus, NJ

Knowing the cost of living in Paramus allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Paramus stands at 168, marking it 68% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Paramus may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Paramus falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Paramus, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 212.2% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Paramus Affordable?

Wondering if Paramus is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Paramus, for example, the median home price is 232.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 163.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Paramus boasting a median household income of $130,273, which is 135.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Paramus?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Paramus, healthcare costs are 4.1% lower than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Paramus, is 212.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Paramus, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Paramus is 39% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Paramus is 68% higher than the national average
  • Paramus housing is 212% 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 Paramus

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Compare Paramus, NJ Cost of Living

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      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$135,024$11,252$3,150$4,051
      Renters$77,672$6,473$1,812$2,330
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Paramus is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Paramus has a median income of about $135,024 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $3,150 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $77,672. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,812 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Paramus National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.62$24.265.6%
      Beauty Salon $41.67$45.568.6%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.6%
      Movie $15.78$12.1330.1%
      Bowling $21.00$18.0016.7%

      Groceries

      Item Paramus National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.65$5.843.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.71$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $5.37$4.938.8%
      Pizza $11.49$12.094.9%
      Beer $11.33$10.418.8%

      Health Care

      Item Paramus National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $157.11$125.6825.0%
      Doctor $115.59$135.7814.9%
      Dentist $124.27$113.299.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.15$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $451.73$468.603.6%

      Housing

      Item Paramus National avg. Difference
      Home Price $614,900.00$184,700.00232.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,568.94$2,346.6952.1%
      Apartment Rent $2,503.00$949.00163.8%

      Transportation

      Item Paramus National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $82.67$59.9238.0%

      Utilities

      Item Paramus National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $236.04$193.9921.7%
      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.
      Greenville CDP (Greene County), NY6041066.1%
      East Orange, NJ64,65011111.1%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32011313.2%
      Paterson, NJ145,48411515.3%
      Haledon, NJ8,29811919.2%
      Paramus, NJ26,40316868.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Garden City, KS26,403936.7%
      Vernon Hills, IL26,39612727.4%
      Auburn, NY26,383919.1%
      Cabot, AR26,376963.6%
      Fremont, NE26,362919.1%
      Paramus, NJ26,40316868.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.