Garfield, NJ vs Somerville, NJ

Garfield, NJ and Somerville, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Garfield scores 126 while Somerville scores 126 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 $1,748/month in Somerville — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Garfield has cheaper rent, Somerville actually has lower median home values ($403,600 vs $454,300).

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $103,869 in Somerville (-27.1%). Somerville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Garfield spend roughly 25.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in Somerville.