Burlington, NJ vs Ridgewood, NJ

The cost of living difference between Burlington, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ is dramatic. Burlington is 44% cheaper than Ridgewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlington has a cost index of 102 while Ridgewood sits at 183, 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 Burlington is $1,598/month compared to $2,340/month in Ridgewood — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $221,000 median vs $882,700.

Median household income in Burlington is $78,009 compared to $217,250 in Ridgewood (-64.1%). While Ridgewood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Ridgewood.