Passaic, NJ vs Perth Amboy, NJ

Passaic, NJ and Perth Amboy, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Passaic scores 115 while Perth Amboy scores 117 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 Passaic is $1,392/month compared to $1,629/month in Perth Amboy — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Passaic has cheaper rent, Perth Amboy actually has lower median home values ($339,200 vs $406,500).

Median household income in Passaic is $56,780 compared to $58,490 in Perth Amboy (-2.9%). While Perth Amboy is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Passaic spend roughly 29.4% of their income on rent, less than the 33.4% in Perth Amboy. The Passaic ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.