Clifton, NJ vs Garfield, NJ

Clifton, NJ and Garfield, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Clifton scores 126 while Garfield scores 126 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 Clifton is $1,658/month compared to $1,612/month in Garfield — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Garfield has cheaper rent, Clifton actually has lower median home values ($444,300 vs $454,300).

Median household income in Clifton is $99,003 compared to $75,701 in Garfield (+30.8%). While Clifton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clifton spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Garfield.