Madison, NJ vs Rutgers University-Busch Campus, NJ

The cost of living difference between Madison, NJ and Rutgers University-Busch Campus, NJ is dramatic. Rutgers University-Busch Campus is 42.8% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 180 while Rutgers University-Busch Campus sits at 126, 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.

Renters will find that Madison has a median rent of $2,248/month while Rutgers University-Busch Campus comes in at $2,031/month, a 11% difference.

Median household income in Madison is $168,469 compared to $118,750 in Rutgers University-Busch Campus (+41.9%). The higher salaries in Madison partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Rutgers University-Busch Campus.