Cape May, NJ vs West Cape May, NJ

Cape May, NJ and West Cape May, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Cape May scores 133 while West Cape May scores 133 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cape May is $1,013/month compared to $1,352/month in West Cape May — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cape May has cheaper rent, West Cape May actually has lower median home values ($698,300 vs $823,800).

Median household income in Cape May is $57,230 compared to $79,375 in West Cape May (-27.9%). West Cape May offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cape May spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in West Cape May.