F
19%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
52%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 North Plainfield New Jersey National
Cost of living119119100
Goods & Services105104100
Groceries102103100
Health care117111100
Housing152157100
Transportation105101100
Utilities103101100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in North Plainfield, NJ

Getting a feel for the cost of living in North Plainfield 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 North Plainfield is 119, which is 19% 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.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in North Plainfield, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 51.8% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is North Plainfield Affordable?

Wondering if North Plainfield 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 North Plainfield, for example, the median home price is 54.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 44.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with North Plainfield boasting a median household income of $114,417, which is 40.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in North Plainfield?

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 North Plainfield, healthcare costs are 17% 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.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in North Plainfield comes in at 3.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in North Plainfield, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in North Plainfield is equal to the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in North Plainfield is 19% higher than the national average
  • North Plainfield housing is 52% 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 North Plainfield

See all the best places to live around North Plainfield

Compare North Plainfield, NJ Cost of Living

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      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$155,170$12,931$3,620$4,656
      Renters$86,231$7,186$2,012$2,587
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in North Plainfield, 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 North Plainfield have a median income of $155,170. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $3,620 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $86,231, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $2,012.

      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 North Plainfield National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.72$27.6214.9%
      Beauty Salon $51.53$51.110.8%
      Toothpaste $4.02$4.091.8%
      Shampoo $1.63$1.545.7%
      Movie $14.04$12.889.0%
      Yoga $23.89$19.6621.5%

      Groceries

      Item North Plainfield National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.53$7.702.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.58$1.665.0%
      Milk $4.95$4.734.6%
      Potatoes $5.19$5.261.3%
      Pizza $11.77$12.767.8%
      Beer $10.90$10.553.3%

      Health Care

      Item North Plainfield National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $198.30$140.0641.6%
      Doctor $235.47$153.8253.1%
      Dentist $142.61$123.1515.8%
      Ibuprofen $12.15$11.733.6%
      Lipitor $16.81$23.6128.8%

      Housing

      Item North Plainfield National avg. Difference
      Home Price $505,254.00$326,622.0054.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,522.55$2,480.2542.0%
      Apartment Rent $2,093.00$1,444.0044.9%

      Transportation

      Item North Plainfield National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.96$3.063.0%
      Tire Balancing $81.13$65.2124.4%

      Utilities

      Item North Plainfield National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $235.08$220.126.8%
      Phone $190.55$195.712.6%
      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, NJ981054.9%
      East Orange, NJ66,65511010.2%
      Roselle, NJ22,32111211.5%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32611212.3%
      Newark, NJ290,76411413.7%
      North Plainfield, NJ22,01511919.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Arvin, CA22,01111211.8%
      North Bellmore, NY22,00815958.8%
      Essex, ON22,025n/a 
      Birmingham, MI22,00314847.9%
      Bellview, FL22,042954.6%
      North Plainfield, NJ22,01511919.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.