Hawthorne, NJ vs Mountainside, NJ

The cost of living difference between Hawthorne, NJ and Mountainside, NJ is dramatic. Hawthorne is 34.6% cheaper than Mountainside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hawthorne has a cost index of 136 while Mountainside sits at 208, 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 Hawthorne is $1,828/month compared to $3,501/month in Mountainside — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hawthorne is more affordable at $499,200 median vs $755,600.

Median household income in Hawthorne is $118,093 compared to $210,100 in Mountainside (-43.8%). While Mountainside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hawthorne spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Mountainside.