Edgewater, NJ vs Westfield, NJ

Edgewater, NJ and Westfield, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Edgewater scores 179 while Westfield scores 183 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 Edgewater is $2,645/month compared to $2,211/month in Westfield — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Westfield has cheaper rent, Edgewater actually has lower median home values ($723,400 vs $930,500).

Median household income in Edgewater is $137,847 compared to $212,700 in Westfield (-35.2%). While Westfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Edgewater spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Westfield.