Camden, NJ vs Union City, NJ

The cost of living difference between Camden, NJ and Union City, NJ is dramatic. Camden is 34.7% cheaper than Union City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Camden has a cost index of 79 while Union City sits at 121, 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 $1,489/month in Union City — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Camden is more affordable at $100,400 median vs $446,800.

Median household income in Camden is $40,450 compared to $65,369 in Union City (-38.1%). While Union City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Camden spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, more than the 27.3% in Union City. The Union City ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.