Cost of Living in Budd Lake, NJ

Population 10,106 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

126
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Budd Lake sits on the smaller end of the New Jersey city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Geographically, Budd Lake is about 30 miles west of Paterson, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 30% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 143
Rent 101

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Budd Lake

The median home value in Budd Lake is $437,200 — 43% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,326/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $113,036/year is 52% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. New Jersey's top state income tax rate is 10.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.6%. The climate averages highs of 60.7°F and lows of 40.2°F. Overall, Budd Lake has a cost of living index of 126 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$437,200
43% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$540,990
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,326/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,192/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.5x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
2.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,474
1 BR
$1,654
2 BR
$2,040
3 BR
$2,550
4 BR
$2,885
Owner-occupied 73.9%
Renter-occupied 26.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,326
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,940/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
35.2 min
30% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.5%
Carpooled
5.9%
Public transit
0.7%
Work from home
18.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 10.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.6%
State rate 6.6%
Avg local rate -0.0%
Property Tax 2.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$113,036
52% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,719
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
20% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor Force Participation
76.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.4%
Graduate degree 20.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.9
Male median age 35.8
Female median age 37.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.7°F
Avg Low
40.2°F
Annual Precip
48.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617179848274635241
Low °F 192028384857626052423225
Precip" 3.272.834.073.783.834.545.064.854.324.643.434.18

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
86.5%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
39
PM2.5 days
311
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Budd Lake, NJ?

Budd Lake has a cost index of 126 (100 = national average). It is 26% above the national average.

What is average rent in Budd Lake, NJ?

The median gross rent in Budd Lake is $1,326 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Budd Lake?

The median home value in Budd Lake is $437,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Budd Lake?

The median household income in Budd Lake is $113,036 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Budd Lake, NJ?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Budd Lake is 6.6%. The New Jersey state income tax top rate is 10.8%.

Is Budd Lake, NJ affordable?

Budd Lake is above average in cost of living, with an index of 126 — about 26% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Budd Lake?

Budd Lake has average high temperatures of 60.7°F and average lows of 40.2°F. Annual precipitation is 48.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Budd Lake at a Glance

Population
10,106
Median Income
$113,036
Home Value
$437,200
Median Rent
$1,326/mo
Unemployment
5.8%
Avg High Temp
60.7°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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🗺️ County data for New Jersey

Explore county-level cost of living data

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