Demarest, NJ vs Short Hills, NJ

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Demarest is 17.1% cheaper than Short Hills. With a cost index of 225 vs 271, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Demarest to Short Hills should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Demarest is $3,501/month compared to $3,259/month in Short Hills — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Short Hills has cheaper rent, Demarest actually has lower median home values ($965,400 vs $1,621,200).

Median household income in Demarest is $175,078 compared to $250,001 in Short Hills (-30%). While Short Hills is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Demarest spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in Short Hills.