Chatham, NJ vs Sewaren, NJ

The cost of living difference between Chatham, NJ and Sewaren, NJ is dramatic. Sewaren is 60.5% cheaper than Chatham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 185 while Sewaren 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 Chatham is $2,251/month compared to $1,382/month in Sewaren — a 63% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sewaren is more affordable at $414,900 median vs $944,300.

Median household income in Chatham is $250,001 compared to $106,926 in Sewaren (+133.8%). 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 15.5% in Sewaren.