Middlesex, NJ vs Rahway, NJ

Middlesex, NJ and Rahway, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Middlesex scores 119 while Rahway scores 123 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 Middlesex is $1,493/month compared to $1,764/month in Rahway — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Middlesex has cheaper rent, Rahway actually has lower median home values ($362,300 vs $414,600).

Median household income in Middlesex is $107,063 compared to $90,852 in Rahway (+17.8%). Middlesex offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Middlesex spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Rahway.