F
27%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
71%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Fords New Jersey National
Cost of living127121100
Goods & Services111106100
Groceries103102100
Health care10299100
Housing171158100
Transportation105103100
Utilities108107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fords, NJ

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Fords? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Fords stands at 127, making it 27% 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 you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Fords may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Fords falls within this bracket.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Fords, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 71.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In Fords, you can expect to pay 11.3% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Fords Affordable?

Is Fords affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Fords, the median home price is 71.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 71.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Fords boasting a median household income of $101,206, 82.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fords?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Fords, the groceries index is 2.5% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Fords 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fords is 5% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Fords is 27% higher than the national average
  • Fords housing is 71% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey general sales tax is 30% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey state income tax is 46% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fords

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Compare Fords, NJ Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$115,013$9,584$2,683$3,451
      Renters$75,250$6,271$1,756$2,258
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Fords, NJ, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Fords, the median monthly income is $115,013 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,683 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $75,250, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,756 on monthly rental expenses.

      New Jersey Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Jersey 6.625% 12.625%

      New Jersey Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Jersey 1.4% 10.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Fords National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.25$24.2624.7%
      Beauty Salon $53.00$45.5616.3%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.8%
      Movie $14.53$12.1319.7%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.6%

      Groceries

      Item Fords National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.13$5.845.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.70$4.670.5%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.8%
      Pizza $12.59$12.094.2%
      Beer $11.12$10.416.8%

      Health Care

      Item Fords National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.93$125.683.4%
      Doctor $124.10$135.788.6%
      Dentist $129.94$113.2914.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.14$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $440.70$468.606.0%

      Housing

      Item Fords National avg. Difference
      Home Price $316,400.00$184,700.0071.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,956.12$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,630.00$949.0071.8%

      Transportation

      Item Fords National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $72.38$59.9220.8%

      Utilities

      Item Fords National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $223.08$193.9915.0%
      Phone $186.61$192.252.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

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      Zarephath, NJ941087.8%
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      Keansburg, NJ9,69711010.4%
      Roselle, NJ21,69911212.0%
      Newark, NJ281,91711414.0%
      Fords, NJ12,50912726.9%

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      Fords, NJ12,50912726.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.