Garfield, NJ vs Phillipsburg, NJ

The cost of living difference between Garfield, NJ and Phillipsburg, NJ is dramatic. Phillipsburg is 50.7% cheaper than Garfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Garfield has a cost index of 126 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 Garfield is $1,612/month compared to $1,118/month in Phillipsburg — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Phillipsburg is more affordable at $180,700 median vs $454,300.

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $67,782 in Phillipsburg (+11.7%). Garfield 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 Garfield spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Phillipsburg.