F
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
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 East Orange New Jersey National
Cost of living111121100
Goods & Services107106100
Groceries102102100
Health care9699100
Housing122158100
Transportation108103100
Utilities111107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in East Orange, NJ

The cost of living in East Orange 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 East Orange is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing costs are a major factor in the East Orange 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 22.2% 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 East Orange Affordable?

Is East Orange 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 East Orange, the median home price is 22.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 21.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with East Orange boasting a median household income of $50,990, 7.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in East Orange?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

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 East Orange, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.625%, and income tax rates begin at 1.4%.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In East Orange, healthcare costs are 4.1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The East Orange cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 East Orange is 8% lower than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in East Orange is 11% higher than the national average
  • East Orange housing is 22% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey general sales tax is 30% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey state income tax is 38% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around East Orange

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Compare East Orange, 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$95,272$7,939$2,223$2,858
      Renters$43,430$3,619$1,013$1,303
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in East Orange, 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 East Orange, the median monthly income is $95,272 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,223 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $43,430, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,013 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 East Orange National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.62$24.265.6%
      Beauty Salon $41.67$45.568.6%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.6%
      Movie $15.78$12.1330.1%
      Bowling $21.00$18.0016.7%

      Groceries

      Item East Orange National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.65$5.843.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.71$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $5.37$4.938.8%
      Pizza $11.49$12.094.9%
      Beer $11.33$10.418.8%

      Health Care

      Item East Orange National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $157.11$125.6825.0%
      Doctor $115.59$135.7814.9%
      Dentist $124.27$113.299.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.15$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $451.73$468.603.6%

      Housing

      Item East Orange National avg. Difference
      Home Price $226,000.00$184,700.0022.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,568.94$2,346.6952.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,156.00$949.0021.8%

      Transportation

      Item East Orange National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $82.67$59.9238.0%

      Utilities

      Item East Orange National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $236.04$193.9921.7%
      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.
      Roselle, NJ21,69911212.0%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32011313.2%
      Newark, NJ281,91711414.0%
      Paterson, NJ145,48411515.3%
      Plainfield, NJ50,25211817.9%
      East Orange, NJ64,65011111.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ankeny, IA64,7441033.4%
      Tulare, CA64,54611716.7%
      Florence-Graham, CA64,78713736.5%
      Eden Prairie, MN64,48112423.7%
      Noblesville, IN64,4301044.2%
      East Orange, NJ64,65011111.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.