Medford Lakes, NJ vs Upper Montclair, NJ

The cost of living difference between Medford Lakes, NJ and Upper Montclair, NJ is dramatic. Medford Lakes is 30.5% cheaper than Upper Montclair, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Medford Lakes has a cost index of 131 while Upper Montclair sits at 188, 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 Medford Lakes is $2,136/month compared to $2,290/month in Upper Montclair — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Medford Lakes is more affordable at $368,200 median vs $968,200.

Median household income in Medford Lakes is $151,190 compared to $250,001 in Upper Montclair (-39.5%). While Upper Montclair is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Medford Lakes spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, more than the 11% in Upper Montclair.