Everyone wants a home that mixes affordability with comfort and New Jersey does this very well. Families love the Garden State’s beaches, midlands, and mountains as tourists before moving here and calling it home.
But before you decide to relocate, you have to do some research into the exact cost of living around the state — and that’s how we’re going to help you.
These are the places in New Jersey that cost a pretty penny — the most expensive cities in the state.
After we saved up for months and could finally afford it, we landed on this list of the ten most expensive cities in New Jersey for 2018:
- Englewood Cliffs (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Tenafly (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Little Silver (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Edgewater (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Fair Haven (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Hoboken (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Leonia (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Old Tappan (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Woodcliff Lake (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- West Long Branch (Photos | Homes For Sale)
So hopefully Penns Grove (the cheapest place to live in New Jersey) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out the best places to live in New Jersey or the cheapest.
1. Englewood Cliffs
Population: 5,297 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 530
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Englewood Cliffs: Homes For Sale | Data
2. Tenafly
Population: 14,473 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 391
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Tenafly: Homes For Sale | Data
3. Little Silver
Population: 5,970 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 317
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Little Silver: Homes For Sale | Data
Little Silver is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough’s population was 5,950, a drop of 220 from the 6,170 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 449 from the 5,721 counted in the 1990 Census.
4. Edgewater
Population: 11,425 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 305
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Edgewater: Homes For Sale | Data
Edgewater is a borough located along the Hudson River in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough had a population of 11,513, reflecting an increase of 3,836 from the 7,677 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 2,676 from the 5,001 counted in the 1990 Census.
5. Fair Haven
Population: 6,102 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 300
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Fair Haven: Homes For Sale | Data
Fair Haven is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, along the Navesink River and is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Fair Haven is located on the Rumson peninsula and is bordered by Red Bank and Little Silver to the west. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough’s population was 6,121, reflecting an increase of 184 from the 5,937 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 667 from the 5,270 counted in the 1990 Census.
6. Hoboken
Population: 49,898 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 277
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Hoboken: Homes For Sale | Data
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city’s population was 50,005, having grown by 11,428 from 38,577 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 5,180 from the 33,397 in the 1990 Census. Hoboken is part of the New York metropolitan area and is the site of Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region.
7. Leonia
Population: 8,948 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 234
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on Leonia: Homes For Sale | Data
Leonia is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough’s population was 8,937, reflecting an increase of 23 from the 8,914 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 549 from the 8,365 counted in the 1990 Census. It is a suburb of New York City located near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge.
8. Old Tappan
Population: 5,754 Services: 127
Groceries: 132
Health Care: 115
Housing: 432
Transportation: 134
Utilities: 133
More on Old Tappan: Homes For Sale | Data
9. Woodcliff Lake
Population: 5,750 Services: 127
Groceries: 132
Health Care: 115
Housing: 350
Transportation: 134
Utilities: 133
More on Woodcliff Lake: Homes For Sale | Data
Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough’s population was 5,730, reflecting a decline of 15 from the 5,745 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 442 from the 5,303 counted in the 1990 Census. Most of the borough mandates a minimum lot size of 22,500 square feet for single-family homes, with portions on the borough’s east zoned for 15,000 square feet and portions of the borough’s northwest and southwest zoned for 30,000 square feet lots.
10. West Long Branch
Population: 8,238 Services: 151
Groceries: 121
Health Care: 117
Housing: 206
Transportation: 138
Utilities: 133
More on West Long Branch: Homes For Sale | Data
West Long Branch is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough’s population was 8,097, reflecting a decline of 161 from the 8,258 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 568 from the 7,690 counted in the 1990 Census. It is the home of Monmouth University.
How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Garden State For 2018
There are basic necessities that you have to buy no matter where in the country you live. Those things include:
- Housing
- Food
- Gas
- Health Insurance
- Utilities
- Transportation
You can then compare the cost of these things in each of the places in New Jersey to figure out which is the most expensive.
What you are left with is a “Cost of Living Index” that normalizes to 100 for an average place in the United States.
So we used that cost of living index in order to rank all of the 173 places in New Jersey that have more than 5,000 people.
And just so you can better understand how the cost of living index works, 100 is the average cost of a place in the United States. A score of 90 means that the place cost 10% less than average.
San Francisco has a score of 243 meaning it’s almost 2.5 times as expensive as the average place in the country.
Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck
Well there you have it, the places in New Jersey that have the highest cost of living, with Englewood Cliffs ranking as the most expensive city in the Garden State.
If you’re curious, here are the least expensive cities in New Jersey:
- Penns Grove
- Vineland
- Bridgeton
For more New Jersey reading, check out:
- 10 Most Dangerous Cities In New Jersey
- These Are The 10 Richest Cities In New Jersey
- 10 Safest Places In New Jersey
Detailed List Of The Most Expensive Cities In New Jersey
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englewood Cliffs | 5,297 |
| 2 | Tenafly | 14,473 |
| 3 | Little Silver | 5,970 |
| 4 | Edgewater | 11,425 |
| 5 | Fair Haven | 6,102 |
| 6 | Hoboken | 49,898 |
| 7 | Leonia | 8,948 |
| 8 | Old Tappan | 5,754 |
| 9 | Woodcliff Lake | 5,750 |
| 10 | West Long Branch | 8,238 |
| 11 | Cresskill | 8,541 |
| 12 | Closter | 8,397 |
| 13 | Oceanport | 5,848 |
| 14 | Norwood | 5,729 |
| 15 | Englewood | 27,205 |
| 16 | Cliffside Park | 23,618 |
| 17 | Montvale | 7,826 |
| 18 | Fort Lee | 35,420 |
| 19 | Paramus | 26,301 |
| 20 | Red Bank | 12,194 |
| 21 | Oradell | 7,997 |
| 22 | Park Ridge | 8,699 |
| 23 | Palisades Park | 19,561 |
| 24 | Long Branch | 30,759 |
| 25 | Ridgefield | 11,081 |
| 26 | Hillsdale | 10,251 |
| 27 | Emerson | 7,471 |
| 28 | Guttenberg | 11,166 |
| 29 | Hasbrouck Heights | 11,830 |
| 30 | Westwood | 10,936 |
| 31 | West New York | 49,816 |
| 32 | Wood-Ridge | 7,892 |
| 33 | New Milford | 16,362 |
| 34 | Carlstadt | 6,161 |
| 35 | Asbury Park | 16,081 |
| 36 | Maywood | 9,547 |
| 37 | East Rutherford | 8,909 |
| 38 | Highlands | 5,009 |
| 39 | Dumont | 17,505 |
| 40 | Little Ferry | 10,635 |
| 41 | Ridgefield Park | 12,761 |
| 42 | Lodi | 24,176 |
| 43 | Bergenfield | 26,774 |
| 44 | Keansburg | 10,097 |
| 45 | Bogota | 8,200 |
| 46 | Jersey City | 248,435 |
| 47 | Bayonne | 63,164 |
| 48 | Hackensack | 43,126 |
| 49 | Margate City | 6,459 |
| 50 | Haddonfield | 11,588 |
| 51 | Brigantine | 9,622 |
| 52 | Ventnor City | 10,785 |
| 53 | Haddon Heights | 7,530 |
| 54 | Northfield | 8,626 |
| 55 | Absecon | 8,369 |
| 56 | Hammonton | 14,745 |
| 57 | Collingswood | 13,923 |
| 58 | Upper Saddle River | 8,186 |
| 59 | Berlin | 7,531 |
| 60 | Franklin Lakes | 10,596 |
| 61 | Allendale | 6,549 |
| 62 | Barrington | 6,966 |
| 63 | Audubon | 8,834 |
| 64 | Summit | 21,468 |
| 65 | Clayton | 8,154 |
| 66 | Glassboro | 18,750 |
| 67 | Palmyra | 7,411 |
| 68 | Pitman | 9,037 |
| 69 | Florham Park | 11,693 |
| 70 | Ridgewood | 24,999 |
| 71 | Atlantic City | 39,680 |
| 72 | Stratford | 7,048 |
| 73 | Chatham | 8,978 |
| 74 | Burlington | 9,904 |
| 75 | North Caldwell | 6,276 |
| 76 | Pleasantville | 20,387 |
| 77 | Bellmawr | 11,585 |
| 78 | Woodbury | 10,187 |
| 79 | Gloucester City | 11,468 |
| 80 | Pine Hill | 10,317 |
| 81 | Mendham | 5,004 |
| 82 | Madison | 15,923 |
| 83 | Lindenwold | 17,663 |
| 84 | Paulsboro | 6,104 |
| 85 | Clementon | 5,008 |
| 86 | Watchung | 5,776 |
| 87 | Kinnelon | 10,276 |
| 88 | Bernardsville | 7,710 |
| 89 | Camden | 77,606 |
| 90 | Glen Ridge | 7,520 |
| 91 | Westfield | 30,296 |
| 92 | Princeton | 12,342 |
| 93 | Glen Rock | 11,631 |
| 94 | Mountainside | 6,695 |
| 95 | Ramsey | 14,528 |
| 96 | Manasquan | 5,904 |
| 97 | Morris Plains | 5,586 |
| 98 | New Providence | 12,191 |
| 99 | North Haledon | 8,360 |
| 100 | Oakland | 12,763 |
| 101 | Caldwell | 7,806 |
| 102 | Midland Park | 7,131 |
| 103 | Waldwick | 9,693 |
| 104 | Belmar | 5,796 |
| 105 | Boonton | 8,403 |
| 106 | Fair Lawn | 32,479 |
| 107 | Ringwood | 12,234 |
| 108 | Fanwood | 7,313 |
| 109 | Metuchen | 13,585 |
| 110 | Elmwood Park | 19,461 |
| 111 | Woodland Park | 11,957 |
| 112 | Hawthorne | 18,753 |
| 113 | Totowa | 10,784 |
| 114 | Wallington | 11,410 |
| 115 | Kenilworth | 7,907 |
| 116 | Bloomingdale | 7,654 |
| 117 | Morristown | 18,461 |
| 118 | North Arlington | 15,407 |
| 119 | Lincoln Park | 10,553 |
| 120 | Tinton Falls | 17,794 |
| 121 | Highland Park | 14,074 |
| 122 | Clifton | 83,926 |
| 123 | Butler | 7,547 |
| 124 | Point Pleasant | 18,499 |
| 125 | Wanaque | 11,062 |
| 126 | Garfield | 30,517 |
| 127 | Pompton Lakes | 11,074 |
| 128 | Kearny | 40,744 |
| 129 | Raritan | 6,968 |
| 130 | Mount Arlington | 5,110 |
| 131 | Harrison | 13,683 |
| 132 | Passaic | 69,685 |
| 133 | Matawan | 8,795 |
| 134 | Haledon | 8,375 |
| 135 | Union City | 66,646 |
| 136 | Wharton | 6,531 |
| 137 | Rahway | 27,369 |
| 138 | Middlesex | 13,661 |
| 139 | Linden | 40,421 |
| 140 | Paterson | 145,655 |
| 141 | South River | 15,992 |
| 142 | Elizabeth | 124,795 |
| 143 | Carteret | 23,135 |
| 144 | Hopatcong | 15,169 |
| 145 | Dover | 18,208 |
| 146 | Union Beach | 6,252 |
| 147 | Prospect Park | 5,860 |
| 148 | Dunellen | 7,271 |
| 149 | Bound Brook | 10,493 |
| 150 | Freehold | 12,013 |
| 151 | North Plainfield | 21,960 |
| 152 | Jamesburg | 5,914 |
| 153 | Manville | 10,358 |
| 154 | Beachwood | 11,067 |
| 155 | Newark | 276,478 |
| 156 | Plainfield | 49,701 |
| 157 | Ocean City | 11,790 |
| 158 | Keyport | 7,265 |
| 159 | New Brunswick | 55,151 |
| 160 | East Orange | 64,356 |
| 161 | Perth Amboy | 50,981 |
| 162 | Spotswood | 8,283 |
| 163 | Newton | 7,983 |
| 164 | Franklin | 5,049 |
| 165 | Washington | 6,475 |
| 166 | Phillipsburg | 14,936 |
| 167 | Trenton | 84,799 |
| 168 | Linwood | 7,109 |
| 169 | Wildwood | 5,290 |
| 170 | Millville | 28,438 |
| 171 | Bridgeton | 25,252 |
| 172 | Vineland | 60,610 |
| 173 | Penns Grove | 5,116 |
