Elizabeth, NJ vs Perth Amboy, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ and Perth Amboy, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Elizabeth scores 116 while Perth Amboy scores 117 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 Elizabeth is $1,463/month compared to $1,629/month in Perth Amboy — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elizabeth has cheaper rent, Perth Amboy actually has lower median home values ($339,200 vs $393,500).

Median household income in Elizabeth is $63,874 compared to $58,490 in Perth Amboy (+9.2%). Elizabeth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elizabeth spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, less than the 33.4% in Perth Amboy. The Elizabeth ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.