Cost of Living in Edgewater, NJ

An Overview of Cost of Living in Edgewater, NJ

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Edgewater? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Edgewater stands at 176, making it 76% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Edgewater is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Edgewater falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Edgewater cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 210.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Edgewater goods and services are 26.8% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Edgewater, it's the same story – grocery costs are 13.4% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is Edgewater Affordable?

Is Edgewater an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Edgewater is 234.3% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 155.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Edgewater has a median household income of $130,267, which is 135.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Edgewater?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Edgewater, the transportation index is 15.2% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Edgewater, the housing index is 210.6% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Edgewater, the groceries index is 13.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Edgewater cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.