Matawan, NJ vs South Plainfield, NJ

Matawan, NJ and South Plainfield, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Matawan scores 128 while South Plainfield scores 134 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Matawan is $1,714/month compared to $1,928/month in South Plainfield — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Matawan has cheaper rent, South Plainfield actually has lower median home values ($443,900 vs $447,000).

Median household income in Matawan is $122,026 compared to $126,063 in South Plainfield (-3.2%). The higher salaries in South Plainfield partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Matawan spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in South Plainfield.