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North Wildwood, NJ vs Surf City, NJ

108
North Wildwood
New Jersey
VS
-36.9%
172
Surf City
New Jersey

The cost of living difference between North Wildwood, NJ and Surf City, NJ is dramatic. North Wildwood is 36.9% cheaper than Surf City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. North Wildwood has a cost index of 108 while Surf City sits at 172, 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 North Wildwood is $1,228/month compared to $1,750/month in Surf City — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Wildwood is more affordable at $446,400 median vs $967,900.

Median household income in North Wildwood is $85,812 compared to $118,333 in Surf City (-27.5%). The higher salaries in Surf City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of North Wildwood spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 17.7% in Surf City.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
North Wildwood
108
37% cheaper
Surf City
172
Median Household Income
North Wildwood
$85,812
Surf City
$118,333
27% higher

Housing

Median Rent
North Wildwood
$1,228
30% cheaper
Surf City
$1,750
Median Home Value
North Wildwood
$446,400
54% cheaper
Surf City
$967,900
Population
North Wildwood
3,620
Surf City
1,225

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

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Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
North Wildwood $3.00
Surf City $3.32
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
North Wildwood $2.44
Surf City $2.71
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
North Wildwood $3.94
Surf City $4.36
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
North Wildwood $1.81
Surf City $2.00
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
North Wildwood $4.05
Surf City $4.49
US $4.14
Electricity
North Wildwood $0.21
Surf City $0.24
US $0.19