Garfield, NJ vs Madison, NJ

The cost of living difference between Garfield, NJ and Madison, NJ is dramatic. Garfield is 30.2% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Garfield has a cost index of 126 while Madison sits at 180, 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 Garfield is $1,612/month compared to $2,248/month in Madison — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garfield is more affordable at $454,300 median vs $882,900.

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $168,469 in Madison (-55.1%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Garfield spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Madison.