Cost of Living in Ocean Grove, NJ

With a cost of living index of 139, Ocean Grove, NJ is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 39% more expensive than the national average and 11% above the New Jersey state average of 128. Ocean Grove is a small community of 2,916 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Ocean Grove's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,212 (8% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $764,200 (151% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 10.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Ocean Grove is $74,410, which is 1% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

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.