Hackensack, NJ vs North Plainfield, NJ

North Plainfield is moderately more affordable than Hackensack, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Hackensack scores 124 compared to 118 for North Plainfield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hackensack can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hackensack is $1,794/month compared to $1,651/month in North Plainfield — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Plainfield is more affordable at $350,700 median vs $370,300.

Median household income in Hackensack is $82,212 compared to $83,529 in North Plainfield (-1.6%). North Plainfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hackensack spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 23.7% in North Plainfield.