Princeton, NJ vs Somerville, NJ

The cost of living difference between Princeton, NJ and Somerville, NJ is dramatic. Somerville is 55.7% cheaper than Princeton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Princeton has a cost index of 195 while Somerville sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Princeton is $2,448/month compared to $1,748/month in Somerville — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Somerville is more affordable at $403,600 median vs $1,040,400.

Median household income in Princeton is $184,113 compared to $103,869 in Somerville (+77.3%). While Princeton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Princeton spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Somerville.