Oak Ridge, NJ vs South Toms River, NJ

Oak Ridge is moderately more affordable than South Toms River, with a 7.4% lower cost of living index. Oak Ridge scores 114 compared to 123 for South Toms River, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Toms River can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,320/month compared to $2,019/month in South Toms River — a 35% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oak Ridge has cheaper rent, South Toms River actually has lower median home values ($269,200 vs $417,300).

Median household income in Oak Ridge is $118,718 compared to $101,466 in South Toms River (+17%). Oak Ridge offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Ridge spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in South Toms River.