Bergenfield, NJ vs New Brunswick, NJ

New Brunswick is moderately more affordable than Bergenfield, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Bergenfield scores 131 compared to 120 for New Brunswick, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bergenfield can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bergenfield is $1,744/month compared to $1,790/month in New Brunswick — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bergenfield has cheaper rent, New Brunswick actually has lower median home values ($316,800 vs $469,200).

Median household income in Bergenfield is $124,083 compared to $60,248 in New Brunswick (+106%). While Bergenfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bergenfield spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 35.7% in New Brunswick. The Bergenfield ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.