Morris Plains, NJ vs North Arlington, NJ

The cost of living difference between Morris Plains, NJ and North Arlington, NJ is dramatic. North Arlington is 32.2% cheaper than Morris Plains, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Morris Plains has a cost index of 171 while North Arlington sits at 129, 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 Morris Plains is $2,686/month compared to $1,706/month in North Arlington — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Arlington is more affordable at $464,700 median vs $609,700.

Median household income in Morris Plains is $149,623 compared to $101,493 in North Arlington (+47.4%). While Morris Plains is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Morris Plains spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in North Arlington.