Pompton Lakes, NJ vs South Toms River, NJ

Pompton Lakes, NJ and South Toms River, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Pompton Lakes scores 128 while South Toms River scores 123 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 Pompton Lakes is $1,822/month compared to $2,019/month in South Toms River — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pompton Lakes has cheaper rent, South Toms River actually has lower median home values ($269,200 vs $411,100).

Median household income in Pompton Lakes is $119,038 compared to $101,466 in South Toms River (+17.3%). While Pompton Lakes is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Pompton Lakes spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in South Toms River.