East Orange, NJ vs Fort Lee, NJ

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. East Orange is 24.9% cheaper than Fort Lee. With a cost index of 107 vs 142, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from East Orange to Fort Lee should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Orange is $1,372/month compared to $2,255/month in Fort Lee — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East Orange is more affordable at $315,500 median vs $422,200.

Median household income in East Orange is $59,872 compared to $105,535 in Fort Lee (-43.3%). While Fort Lee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Orange spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Fort Lee.