Cost of Living in Watchung, NJ

F
78%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
241%
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 Watchung New Jersey National
Cost of living178121100
Goods & Services111106100
Groceries103102100
Health care10299100
Housing341158100
Transportation105103100
Utilities108107100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Watchung is 47% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Watchung is 78% higher than the national average
  • Watchung housing is 241% 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 Watchung

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Compare Watchung, 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$158,918$13,243$3,708$4,768
      Renters$75,859$6,322$1,770$2,276
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Watchung, 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 Watchung, the median monthly income is $158,918 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,708 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $75,859, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,770 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 Watchung National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.25$24.2624.7%
      Beauty Salon $53.00$45.5616.3%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.8%
      Movie $14.53$12.1319.7%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.6%

      Groceries

      Item Watchung National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.13$5.845.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.70$4.670.5%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.8%
      Pizza $12.59$12.094.2%
      Beer $11.12$10.416.8%

      Health Care

      Item Watchung National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.93$125.683.4%
      Doctor $124.10$135.788.6%
      Dentist $129.94$113.2914.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.14$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $440.70$468.606.0%

      Housing

      Item Watchung National avg. Difference
      Home Price $726,000.00$184,700.00293.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,956.12$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $2,085.00$949.00119.7%

      Transportation

      Item Watchung National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $72.38$59.9220.8%

      Utilities

      Item Watchung National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $223.08$193.9915.0%
      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.
      Zarephath, NJ941087.8%
      East Orange, NJ64,65011111.1%
      Roselle, NJ21,69911212.0%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32011313.2%
      Newark, NJ281,91711414.0%
      Watchung, NJ6,04017877.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Theodore, AL6,0398811.5%
      Laurence Harbor, NJ6,04111918.9%
      Johnson Lane, NV6,04314039.9%
      Bensley, VA6,044964.0%
      Mascotte, FL6,031963.9%
      Watchung, NJ6,04017877.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
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