Garfield, NJ vs Williamstown, NJ

The cost of living difference between Garfield, NJ and Williamstown, NJ is dramatic. Williamstown is 32.2% cheaper than Garfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Garfield has a cost index of 126 while Williamstown sits at 95, 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 $1,262/month in Williamstown — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Williamstown is more affordable at $255,000 median vs $454,300.

Median household income in Garfield is $75,701 compared to $87,021 in Williamstown (-13%). Williamstown 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 17.4% in Williamstown.