Camden, NJ vs New Brunswick, NJ

The cost of living difference between Camden, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ is dramatic. Camden is 33.9% cheaper than New Brunswick, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Camden has a cost index of 79 while New Brunswick sits at 120, 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 Camden is $1,157/month compared to $1,790/month in New Brunswick — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Camden is more affordable at $100,400 median vs $316,800.

Median household income in Camden is $40,450 compared to $60,248 in New Brunswick (-32.9%). The higher salaries in New Brunswick partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Camden spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, less than the 35.7% in New Brunswick. The Camden ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.