Fort Lee, NJ vs Short Hills, NJ

The cost of living difference between Fort Lee, NJ and Short Hills, NJ is dramatic. Fort Lee is 47.5% cheaper than Short Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Lee has a cost index of 142 while Short Hills sits at 271, 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 $3,259/month in Short Hills — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Lee is more affordable at $422,200 median vs $1,621,200.

Median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535 compared to $250,001 in Short Hills (-57.8%). While Short Hills 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, more than the 15.6% in Short Hills.