| Index | Kearny | New Jersey | National |
| Cost of living | 131 | 125 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 108 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Housing | 179 | 157 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 114 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 113 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 120 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Kearny is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Kearny is 131, which is 31% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Kearny 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, Kearny falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Kearny 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 78.5% 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 Kearny 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 Kearny, the median home price is 95.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 39% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kearny boasting a median household income of $110,794, 36.2% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
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 Kearny, the groceries index is 8.3% 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 Kearny, healthcare costs are 11.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Kearny are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $150,513 | $12,543 | $3,512 | $4,516 |
| Renters | $84,267 | $7,022 | $1,966 | $2,528 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | 12.625% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New Jersey | 1.4% | 10.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| East Orange, NJ | 66,655 | 115 | 15.1% |
| Roselle, NJ | 22,321 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ | 326 | 117 | 17.3% |
| Newark, NJ | 290,764 | 120 | 19.8% |
| Paterson, NJ | 149,118 | 122 | 21.5% |
| Kearny, NJ | 42,471 | 131 | 31.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Leominster, MA | 42,480 | 118 | 18.0% |
| Findlay, OH | 42,458 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Belleville, IL | 42,499 | 88 | 12.0% |
| Westfield, MA | 42,547 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Gainesville, GA | 42,333 | 105 | 5.2% |
| Kearny, NJ | 42,471 | 131 | 31.1% |
Here are the best places to live in New Jersey
Most Dangerous States In The US
These are the largest cities in New Jersey
Most Dangerous Cities In The US