Clifton, NJ vs Plainfield, NJ

Clifton, NJ and Plainfield, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Clifton scores 126 while Plainfield scores 122 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 $1,673/month in Plainfield — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Clifton has cheaper rent, Plainfield actually has lower median home values ($383,300 vs $444,300).

Median household income in Clifton is $99,003 compared to $80,334 in Plainfield (+23.2%). 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% in Plainfield.