F
36%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
95%
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 Elmwood Park New Jersey National
Cost of living136125100
Groceries109108100
Health care109112100
Housing195157100
Transportation111114100
Utilities112111100
Lifestyle & Entertainment109113100
Household Items108107100
Education & Childcare116120100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Elmwood Park, NJ

Knowing the cost of living in Elmwood Park allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Elmwood Park stands at 136, marking it 36% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Elmwood Park 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, Elmwood Park falls within this bracket.

Housing costs significantly influence the Elmwood Park 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 94.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Elmwood Park Affordable?

Is Elmwood Park affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Elmwood Park, for instance, where the median home price falls 101.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 79.5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Elmwood Park flaunting a median household income of $113,306, 39.3% higher than the national norm.

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

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Elmwood Park, the utilities index registers 12.2% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Elmwood Park, healthcare costs are 8.9% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Elmwood Park cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Elmwood Park is 8% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Elmwood Park is 36% higher than the national average
  • Elmwood Park housing is 95% 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 Elmwood Park

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Compare Elmwood Park, NJ Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$133,365$11,114$3,112$4,001
      Renters$92,380$7,698$2,155$2,772
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, the median monthly income is $133,365 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,112 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $92,380, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $2,155 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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Orange, NJ66,65511515.1%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32611717.3%
      Newark, NJ290,76412019.8%
      Paterson, NJ149,11812221.5%
      Prospect Park, NJ5,98712525.1%
      Elmwood Park, NJ20,65413635.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sand Springs, OK20,651928.1%
      Lake Zurich, IL20,66412323.4%
      Port Angeles, WA20,63111312.5%
      Alamo, TX20,6298316.8%
      Lloydminster (Part), AB20,628n/a 
      Elmwood Park, NJ20,65413635.6%
      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.