Kearny, NJ vs Madison, NJ

The cost of living difference between Kearny, NJ and Madison, NJ is dramatic. Kearny is 30.6% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kearny has a cost index of 125 while Madison sits at 180, 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 Kearny is $1,649/month compared to $2,248/month in Madison — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kearny is more affordable at $431,700 median vs $882,900.

Median household income in Kearny is $83,212 compared to $168,469 in Madison (-50.6%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kearny spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Madison.