Lakewood, NJ vs Plainfield, NJ

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Plainfield is 15.2% cheaper than Lakewood. With a cost index of 122 vs 140, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Plainfield to Lakewood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $1,647/month compared to $1,673/month in Plainfield — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lakewood has cheaper rent, Plainfield actually has lower median home values ($383,300 vs $618,400).

Median household income in Lakewood is $57,576 compared to $80,334 in Plainfield (-28.3%). Plainfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, more than the 25% in Plainfield. The Plainfield ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.