Cost of Living in Chatham, NJ

Population 9,219 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

254
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in Chatham sits 210% above the national median — $944,000 for the typical home — but median household incomes near $250,001 (235% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros.

Located 11 miles west of Newark, Chatham falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 180% higher than Newark's $338,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 310
Rent 171

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

About the Cost of Living in Chatham

The median home value in Chatham is $944,300 — 210% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,251/month, 71% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $250,001/year is 235% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.9%, 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, Chatham has a cost of living index of 254 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 154% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$944,300
210% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,284,304
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,251/mo
71% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,879/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
35.0x
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 81.5%
Renter-occupied 18.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,251
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,865/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
42.2 min
56% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
32.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
45.4%
Carpooled
3.1%
Public transit
17.3%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
32.6%

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
$250,001
235% above avg
Per Capita Income
$99,600
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
23% above avg
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Labor Force Participation
71.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 42.1%
Graduate degree 42.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.4
Male median age 35.9
Female median age 39.2

🌤 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

99%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
4,075
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chatham, NJ?

Chatham has a cost index of 254 (100 = national average). It is 154% above the national average.

What is average rent in Chatham, NJ?

The median gross rent in Chatham is $2,251 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Chatham?

The median home value in Chatham is $944,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Chatham?

The median household income in Chatham is $250,001 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Chatham, NJ?

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

Is Chatham, NJ affordable?

Chatham is above average in cost of living, with an index of 254 — about 154% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Chatham?

Chatham 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.

Chatham at a Glance

Population
9,219
Median Income
$250,001
Home Value
$944,300
Median Rent
$2,251/mo
Unemployment
5.9%
Avg High Temp
62.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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