Cost of Living in Butler, NJ

Population 8,072 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

128
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Butler a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $426,000.

Butler sits roughly 11 miles northwest of Paterson — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 140
Rent 111

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

About the Cost of Living in Butler

The median home value in Butler is $425,900 — 40% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,455/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $110,375/year is 48% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.0%, 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 62.4°F and lows of 43.8°F. Overall, Butler has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$425,900
40% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$539,055
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,455/mo
11% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4x
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 67.7%
Renter-occupied 32.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,455
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,069/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
35.8 min
33% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.1%
Carpooled
4.9%
Public transit
5.7%
Walked
0.3%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
16.3%

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
$110,375
48% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,386
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
4% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Labor Force Participation
72.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 36.9%
Graduate degree 8.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.9
Male median age 38.8
Female median age 44.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.4°F
Avg Low
43.8°F
Annual Precip
44.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384149627281858476655343
Low °F 232431415160666457453528
Precip" 3.042.554.073.713.394.274.334.493.723.973.304.04

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,202
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Butler, NJ?

Butler has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.

What is average rent in Butler, NJ?

The median gross rent in Butler is $1,455 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Butler?

The median home value in Butler is $425,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Butler?

The median household income in Butler is $110,375 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Butler, NJ?

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

Is Butler, NJ affordable?

Butler is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Butler?

Butler has average high temperatures of 62.4°F and average lows of 43.8°F. Annual precipitation is 44.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Butler at a Glance

Population
8,072
Median Income
$110,375
Home Value
$425,900
Median Rent
$1,455/mo
Unemployment
5.0%
Avg High Temp
62.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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