Chatham, NJ vs Lodi, NJ

The cost of living difference between Chatham, NJ and Lodi, NJ is dramatic. Lodi is 45.7% cheaper than Chatham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 185 while Lodi sits at 127, 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 Chatham is $2,251/month compared to $1,675/month in Lodi — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lodi is more affordable at $449,200 median vs $944,300.

Median household income in Chatham is $250,001 compared to $84,570 in Lodi (+195.6%). While Chatham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in Lodi.