| Index | Rutherford | New Jersey | National |
| Cost of living | 146 | 125 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 108 | 100 |
| Health care | 110 | 112 | 100 |
| Housing | 230 | 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 |
Knowing the cost of living in Rutherford 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 Rutherford stands at 146, marking it 46% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Rutherford is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Rutherford falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Rutherford, 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 129.5% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Rutherford 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 Rutherford, for instance, where the median home price falls 161.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 55.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Rutherford flaunting a median household income of $160,818, 97.7% higher than the national norm.
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 Rutherford comes in at 14.9% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Rutherford, healthcare costs are 9.5% 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.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Rutherford 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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| Groceries index | |
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| Housing index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $218,017 | $18,168 | $5,087 | $6,541 |
| Renters | $102,957 | $8,580 | $2,402 | $3,089 |
| 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% |
| Rutherford, NJ | 18,891 | 146 | 46.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oak Bay, BC | 18,885 | n/a | |
| Maumelle, AR | 18,898 | 100 | 0.1% |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 109 | 8.7% |
| White Oak, OH | 18,862 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Menasha, WI | 18,920 | 91 | 8.6% |
| Rutherford, NJ | 18,891 | 146 | 46.1% |
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