Garfield, NJ vs Short Hills, NJ

The cost of living difference between Garfield, NJ and Short Hills, NJ is dramatic. Garfield is 53.7% cheaper than Short Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Garfield has a cost index of 126 while Short Hills sits at 271, 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 $3,259/month in Short Hills — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garfield is more affordable at $454,300 median vs $1,621,200.

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $250,001 in Short Hills (-69.7%). While Short Hills 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 15.6% in Short Hills.