Cost of Living in Plainfield, NJ

An Overview of Cost of Living in Plainfield, NJ

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Plainfield? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Plainfield stands at 118, making it 18% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Housing costs significantly influence the Plainfield cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 41.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Plainfield goods and services are 11.3% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Plainfield?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Plainfield. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 60% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 40% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Plainfield Affordable?

Is Plainfield affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Plainfield, for instance, where the median home price falls 45.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 32.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Plainfield flaunting a median household income of $58,400, 5.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Plainfield?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Plainfield, healthcare costs are 1.9% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Plainfield, the housing index is 41.4% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Plainfield cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.