Hackensack, NJ vs Union City, NJ

Hackensack, NJ and Union City, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Hackensack scores 124 while Union City scores 121 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 Hackensack is $1,794/month compared to $1,489/month in Union City — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Union City has cheaper rent, Hackensack actually has lower median home values ($370,300 vs $446,800).

Median household income in Hackensack is $82,212 compared to $65,369 in Union City (+25.8%). While Hackensack is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hackensack spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, less than the 27.3% in Union City.