Fort Lee, NJ vs South River, NJ

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. South River is 19.4% cheaper than Fort Lee. With a cost index of 119 vs 142, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from South River 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 $1,599/month in South River — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South River is more affordable at $382,500 median vs $422,200.

Median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535 compared to $101,853 in South River (+3.6%). Fort Lee does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lee spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in South River.