Fairview, NJ vs Salem, NJ

The cost of living difference between Fairview, NJ and Salem, NJ is dramatic. Salem is 81.4% cheaper than Fairview, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairview has a cost index of 130 while Salem sits at 72, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairview is $1,597/month compared to $992/month in Salem — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $69,300 median vs $512,100.

Median household income in Fairview is $64,152 compared to $40,650 in Salem (+57.8%). The higher salaries in Fairview partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairview spend roughly 29.9% of their income on rent, more than the 29.3% in Salem.