Clifton, NJ vs Fort Lee, NJ

Clifton is moderately more affordable than Fort Lee, with a 11.4% lower cost of living index. Clifton scores 126 compared to 142 for Fort Lee, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Lee can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clifton is $1,658/month compared to $2,255/month in Fort Lee — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Clifton has cheaper rent, Fort Lee actually has lower median home values ($422,200 vs $444,300).

Median household income in Clifton is $99,003 compared to $105,535 in Fort Lee (-6.2%). The higher salaries in Fort Lee partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clifton spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Fort Lee.