Camden, NJ vs Passaic, NJ

The cost of living difference between Camden, NJ and Passaic, NJ is dramatic. Camden is 31.2% cheaper than Passaic, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Camden has a cost index of 79 while Passaic sits at 115, 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 $1,392/month in Passaic — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Camden is more affordable at $100,400 median vs $406,500.

Median household income in Camden is $40,450 compared to $56,780 in Passaic (-28.8%). The higher salaries in Passaic 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, more than the 29.4% in Passaic. The Passaic ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.