Belmar, NJ vs Sussex, NJ

The cost of living difference between Belmar, NJ and Sussex, NJ is dramatic. Sussex is 52.5% cheaper than Belmar, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belmar has a cost index of 158 while Sussex sits at 104, 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 $1,422/month in Sussex — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sussex is more affordable at $258,400 median vs $771,400.

Median household income in Belmar is $92,859 compared to $72,601 in Sussex (+27.9%). The higher salaries in Belmar partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Belmar spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Sussex.