Clifton, NJ vs Lakewood, NJ

Clifton is moderately more affordable than Lakewood, with a 10% lower cost of living index. Clifton scores 126 compared to 140 for Lakewood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lakewood 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 $1,647/month in Lakewood — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lakewood has cheaper rent, Clifton actually has lower median home values ($444,300 vs $618,400).

Median household income in Clifton is $99,003 compared to $57,576 in Lakewood (+72%). Clifton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clifton spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, less than the 34.3% in Lakewood. The Clifton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.