Fort Lee, NJ vs Passaic, NJ

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Passaic is 23.9% cheaper than Fort Lee. With a cost index of 115 vs 142, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Passaic to Fort Lee should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Lee is $2,255/month compared to $1,392/month in Passaic — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Passaic is more affordable at $406,500 median vs $422,200.

Median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535 compared to $56,780 in Passaic (+85.9%). While Fort Lee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lee spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, less than the 29.4% in Passaic.