Cost of Living in Rutgers University-Busch Campus, NJ

With a cost of living index of 126, Rutgers University-Busch Campus, NJ is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 26% more expensive than the national average and in line with the New Jersey state average. Rutgers University-Busch Campus is a smaller community of 5,747 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

The median household income in Rutgers University-Busch Campus is $118,750, which is 58% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 21% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

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.