Cost of Living in New Brunswick, NJ

With a cost of living index of 120, New Brunswick, NJ is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 20% more expensive than the national average and 8% below the New Jersey state average of 128. With a population of 55,744, New Brunswick is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in New Brunswick's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,790 (36% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $316,800 (4% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.3x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in New Brunswick is $60,248, which is 20% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 36% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened.

Everyday prices in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.