Kearny, NJ vs Phillipsburg, NJ

The cost of living difference between Kearny, NJ and Phillipsburg, NJ is dramatic. Phillipsburg is 49.8% cheaper than Kearny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kearny has a cost index of 125 while Phillipsburg sits at 83, 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 $1,118/month in Phillipsburg — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Phillipsburg is more affordable at $180,700 median vs $431,700.

Median household income in Kearny is $83,212 compared to $67,782 in Phillipsburg (+22.8%). Kearny does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Kearny spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Phillipsburg.