Belmar, NJ vs Phillipsburg, NJ

The cost of living difference between Belmar, NJ and Phillipsburg, NJ is dramatic. Phillipsburg is 89.9% cheaper than Belmar, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belmar has a cost index of 158 while Phillipsburg sits at 83, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belmar is $1,832/month compared to $1,118/month in Phillipsburg — a 64% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Phillipsburg is more affordable at $180,700 median vs $771,400.

Median household income in Belmar is $92,859 compared to $67,782 in Phillipsburg (+37%). Belmar does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Belmar spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Phillipsburg.