F
25%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
66%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Middlesex New Jersey National
Cost of living125121100
Goods & Services111106100
Groceries103102100
Health care10299100
Housing166158100
Transportation105103100
Utilities108107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Middlesex, NJ

The cost of living in Middlesex affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Middlesex is 125, which is 25% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

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 Middlesex 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, Middlesex falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Middlesex cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 66.3%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Middlesex, these items will cost you 11.3% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Is Middlesex Affordable?

Is Middlesex an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Middlesex, the median home price is 73.5% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 49.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Middlesex come in at $84,216, which is 52.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Middlesex?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Middlesex, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.625%, and income tax rates begin at 1.4%.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Middlesex, is 66.3% 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.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Middlesex, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

New Real Estate Listings in Middlesex Area
Search Homes for Sale in Middlesex, NJ

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Middlesex is 4% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Middlesex is 25% higher than the national average
  • Middlesex housing is 66% 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 Middlesex

See all the best places to live around Middlesex

Compare Middlesex, NJ Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Middlesex?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Middlesex?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Middlesex poll results

      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$95,417$7,951$2,226$2,863
      Renters$48,143$4,012$1,123$1,444
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Middlesex, NJ, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Middlesex have a median income of $95,417. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,226 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $48,143, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,123.

      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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex National avg. Difference
      Home Price $320,500.00$184,700.0073.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,956.12$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,419.00$949.0049.5%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Middlesex 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

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Zarephath, NJ941087.8%
      Roselle, NJ21,69911212.0%
      Cliffwood Beach, NJ3,02411717.0%
      Plainfield, NJ50,25211817.9%
      Dunellen, NJ7,21511918.8%
      Middlesex, NJ13,60612525.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Marshall, MN13,6048811.6%
      Celina, TX13,60812929.2%
      Andover, KS13,6091076.5%
      Canton, IL13,6008316.7%
      Chelsea, AL13,5991077.5%
      Middlesex, NJ13,60612525.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.