F
59%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
178%
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 Martinsville New Jersey National
Cost of living159121100
Goods & Services111106100
Groceries103102100
Health care10299100
Housing278158100
Transportation105103100
Utilities108107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Martinsville, NJ

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Martinsville? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Martinsville stands at 159, making it 59% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

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

When it comes to the cost of living in Martinsville, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 177.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Martinsville, you you will have to spend 11.3% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Martinsville Affordable?

Wondering if Martinsville is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Martinsville, for example, the median home price is 220.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 78.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Martinsville boasting a median household income of $172,793, which is 212.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Martinsville?

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

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.

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 Martinsville, the utilities index registers 8.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Martinsville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Martinsville is 31% higher than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Martinsville is 59% higher than the national average
  • Martinsville housing is 178% 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 Martinsville

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Compare Martinsville, 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$173,112$14,426$4,039$5,194
      Renters$139,444$11,620$3,253$4,184
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, the median monthly income is $173,112 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $4,039 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $139,444, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $3,253 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 Martinsville 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 Martinsville 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 Martinsville 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 Martinsville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $591,900.00$184,700.00220.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,956.12$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,694.00$949.0078.5%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Martinsville 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%
      Plainfield, NJ50,25211817.9%
      Dunellen, NJ7,21511918.8%
      Manville, NJ10,19311919.0%
      Spotswood, NJ8,25512019.6%
      Martinsville, NJ11,38415958.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Guymon, OK11,3818613.5%
      Minnehaha, WA11,38712424.5%
      Stuarts Draft, VA11,3801032.6%
      Nanakuli, HI11,37915049.9%
      Highland City, FL11,3921000.5%
      Martinsville, NJ11,38415958.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.