| Index | Passaic | New Jersey | National |
| Cost of living | 129 | 125 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 108 | 100 |
| Health care | 110 | 112 | 100 |
| Housing | 172 | 157 | 100 |
| Transportation | 112 | 114 | 100 |
| Utilities | 115 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 113 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 120 | 120 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Passaic 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 Passaic is 129, which is 29% 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 prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Passaic may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Passaic falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Passaic, 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 71.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Passaic 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 Passaic, for instance, where the median home price falls 92.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 23.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Passaic flaunting a median household income of $67,247, 17.3% lower than the national norm.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Passaic, the groceries index is 4.8% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Passaic, the healthcare costs are 9.5% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Passaic 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $130,321 | $10,860 | $3,041 | $3,910 |
| Renters | $55,651 | $4,638 | $1,298 | $1,670 |
| 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% |
| Passaic, NJ | 72,139 | 129 | 28.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 72,134 | 197 | 97.4% |
| North Richland Hills, TX | 72,121 | 107 | 7.4% |
| St. Charles, MO | 72,409 | 101 | 1.4% |
| Marysville, WA | 71,855 | 131 | 30.9% |
| Wilmington, DE | 72,823 | 100 | 0.5% |
| Passaic, NJ | 72,139 | 129 | 28.7% |
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