F
45%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
124%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Cliffside Park New Jersey National
Cost of living145125100
Groceries106108100
Health care111112100
Housing224157100
Transportation114114100
Utilities108111100
Lifestyle & Entertainment109113100
Household Items108107100
Education & Childcare118120100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Cliffside Park, NJ

The cost of living in Cliffside Park 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 Cliffside Park is 145, which is 45% 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 you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Cliffside Park may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Cliffside Park falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Cliffside Park cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 124.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Cliffside Park Affordable?

Is Cliffside Park 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 Cliffside Park, the median home price is 152.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 59.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Cliffside Park come in at $126,526, which is 55.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cliffside Park?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Cliffside Park, the healthcare costs are 10.9% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Cliffside Park, the housing index is 124.3% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Cliffside Park, the groceries index is 6.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data for Cliffside Park shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Cliffside Park is 15% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Cliffside Park is 45% higher than the national average
  • Cliffside Park housing is 124% 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 Cliffside Park

See all the best places to live around Cliffside Park

Compare Cliffside Park, NJ Cost of Living

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

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$180,015$15,001$4,200$5,401
      Renters$77,891$6,491$1,817$2,337
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Cliffside Park, 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 Cliffside Park have a median income of $180,015. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $4,200 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $77,891, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,817.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Greenville CDP (Greene County), NY6161066.1%
      East Orange, NJ66,65511515.1%
      Roselle, NJ22,32111615.7%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32611717.3%
      Newark, NJ290,76412019.8%
      Cliffside Park, NJ26,31514544.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Carbondale, IL26,3218911.3%
      South Pasadena, CA26,308228128.5%
      Sebastian, FL26,3231098.6%
      Holbrook, NY26,32514040.2%
      Ruskin, FL26,2871043.8%
      Cliffside Park, NJ26,31514544.5%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.