Carteret, NJ vs Perth Amboy, NJ

Perth Amboy is moderately more affordable than Carteret, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Carteret scores 131 compared to 117 for Perth Amboy, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Carteret can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Carteret is $2,012/month compared to $1,629/month in Perth Amboy — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Perth Amboy is more affordable at $339,200 median vs $370,200.

Median household income in Carteret is $87,553 compared to $58,490 in Perth Amboy (+49.7%). While Carteret is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carteret spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, less than the 33.4% in Perth Amboy. The Carteret ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.