Hillsborough, NJ vs New Brunswick, NJ

New Brunswick is moderately more affordable than Hillsborough, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Hillsborough scores 131 compared to 120 for New Brunswick, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hillsborough can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hillsborough is $1,898/month compared to $1,790/month in New Brunswick — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Brunswick is more affordable at $316,800 median vs $411,400.

Median household income in Hillsborough is $142,275 compared to $60,248 in New Brunswick (+136.1%). While Hillsborough is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillsborough spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 35.7% in New Brunswick. The Hillsborough ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.