Fort Lee, NJ vs Phillipsburg, NJ

The cost of living difference between Fort Lee, NJ and Phillipsburg, NJ is dramatic. Phillipsburg is 70.9% cheaper than Fort Lee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Lee has a cost index of 142 while Phillipsburg sits at 83, 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 Fort Lee is $2,255/month compared to $1,118/month in Phillipsburg — a 102% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Phillipsburg is more affordable at $180,700 median vs $422,200.

Median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535 compared to $67,782 in Phillipsburg (+55.7%). The higher salaries in Fort Lee partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lee spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Phillipsburg.