Garfield, NJ vs Oakland, NJ

Garfield, NJ and Oakland, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Garfield scores 126 while Oakland scores 130 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Garfield is $1,612/month compared to $1,462/month in Oakland — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oakland has cheaper rent, Garfield actually has lower median home values ($454,300 vs $567,200).

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $162,862 in Oakland (-53.5%). While Oakland 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 10.8% in Oakland.