| Index | South Plainfield | New Jersey | National |
| Cost of living | 134 | 125 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 108 | 100 |
| Health care | 114 | 112 | 100 |
| Housing | 186 | 157 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 114 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 114 | 113 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 116 | 120 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in South Plainfield can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The South Plainfield cost of living index is 134, which is 34% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, South Plainfield 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, South Plainfield falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the South Plainfield cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 86.3% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is South Plainfield 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 South Plainfield, the median home price is 90.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 76.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South Plainfield boasting a median household income of $162,018, 99.2% higher than the national average.
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 South Plainfield, the utilities index registers 10.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In South Plainfield, the transportation index stands at 14.6% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In South Plainfield, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.625%, and income tax rates start at 1.4%.
The cost of living data for South Plainfield shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between 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 | $174,343 | $14,529 | $4,068 | $5,231 |
| Renters | $127,566 | $10,631 | $2,976 | $3,827 |
| 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. |
| Zarephath, NJ | 98 | 113 | 12.8% |
| Keansburg, NJ | 10,050 | 114 | 14.1% |
| 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% |
| South Plainfield, NJ | 24,668 | 134 | 34.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| North Lynnwood, WA | 24,656 | 139 | 39.0% |
| Rosemont, CA | 24,690 | 132 | 32.2% |
| Chestermere, AB | 24,643 | n/a | |
| Port St. John, FL | 24,638 | 105 | 5.2% |
| Sugar Hill, GA | 24,637 | 111 | 11.0% |
| South Plainfield, NJ | 24,668 | 134 | 34.0% |
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