Fair Lawn, NJ vs Metuchen, NJ

Fair Lawn, NJ and Metuchen, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Fair Lawn scores 141 while Metuchen scores 147 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 Fair Lawn is $1,908/month compared to $2,019/month in Metuchen — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fair Lawn is more affordable at $532,700 median vs $565,400.

Median household income in Fair Lawn is $147,952 compared to $157,779 in Metuchen (-6.2%). While Metuchen is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fair Lawn spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Metuchen.