Passaic, NJ vs South Plainfield, NJ

Passaic is moderately more affordable than South Plainfield, with a 14.4% lower cost of living index. Passaic scores 115 compared to 134 for South Plainfield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Plainfield can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Passaic is $1,392/month compared to $1,928/month in South Plainfield — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Passaic is more affordable at $406,500 median vs $443,900.

Median household income in Passaic is $56,780 compared to $126,063 in South Plainfield (-55%). While South Plainfield 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, more than the 18.4% in South Plainfield.