East Orange, NJ vs Passaic, NJ

East Orange is moderately more affordable than Passaic, with a 7% lower cost of living index. East Orange scores 107 compared to 115 for Passaic, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Passaic can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in East Orange is $1,372/month compared to $1,392/month in Passaic — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East Orange is more affordable at $315,500 median vs $406,500.

Median household income in East Orange is $59,872 compared to $56,780 in Passaic (+5.4%). East Orange offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Orange spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, less than the 29.4% in Passaic.