Garfield, NJ vs Pompton Lakes, NJ

Garfield, NJ and Pompton Lakes, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Garfield scores 126 while Pompton Lakes scores 128 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 $1,822/month in Pompton Lakes — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Garfield has cheaper rent, Pompton Lakes actually has lower median home values ($411,100 vs $454,300).

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $119,038 in Pompton Lakes (-36.4%). While Pompton Lakes 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 18.4% in Pompton Lakes.