Garfield, NJ vs Upper Montclair, NJ

The cost of living difference between Garfield, NJ and Upper Montclair, NJ is dramatic. Garfield is 33.3% cheaper than Upper Montclair, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Garfield has a cost index of 126 while Upper Montclair sits at 188, 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 $2,290/month in Upper Montclair — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Garfield is more affordable at $454,300 median vs $968,200.

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $250,001 in Upper Montclair (-69.7%). While Upper Montclair 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 11% in Upper Montclair.