Pine Lake Park, NJ vs Union, NJ

Pine Lake Park, NJ and Union, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Pine Lake Park scores 124 while Union scores 128 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 Pine Lake Park is $1,785/month compared to $1,695/month in Union — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Union has cheaper rent, Pine Lake Park actually has lower median home values ($377,200 vs $451,500).

Median household income in Pine Lake Park is $87,998 compared to $127,411 in Union (-30.9%). While Union is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Pine Lake Park spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Union.