Cost of Living in Cliffwood Beach, NJ

Population 3,044 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

146
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cliffwood Beach is a smaller New Jersey community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $108,854 and housing costs ($341,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 15 miles south of Elizabeth, Cliffwood Beach falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Elizabeth's $394,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 112
Rent 198

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

About the Cost of Living in Cliffwood Beach

The median home value in Cliffwood Beach is $340,600 — 12% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,598/month, 98% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,854/year is 46% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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 63.8°F and lows of 47.1°F, with about 31.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Cliffwood Beach has a cost of living index of 146 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$340,600
12% above avg
Median Rent
$2,598/mo
98% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.9x
Favors buying
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 91.9%
Renter-occupied 8.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,598
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,212/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
31.3 min
16% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.2%
Carpooled
3.3%
Public transit
1.3%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
7.1%

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
$108,854
46% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,381
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
12% above avg
Poverty Rate
1.9%
Labor Force Participation
64.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.1%
Graduate degree 8.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.7
Male median age 42.4
Female median age 44.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.8°F
Avg Low
47.1°F
Annual Precip
46.6"
Annual Snowfall
31.5"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404351637382878578665545
Low °F 262734445464696861493931
Precip" 3.422.984.133.873.974.344.664.153.823.793.334.14
Snow" 9.110.15.60.50.00.00.00.00.00.20.65.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
85%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
247
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cliffwood Beach, NJ?

Cliffwood Beach has a cost index of 146 (100 = national average). It is 46% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cliffwood Beach, NJ?

The median gross rent in Cliffwood Beach is $2,598 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cliffwood Beach?

The median home value in Cliffwood Beach is $340,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Cliffwood Beach?

The median household income in Cliffwood Beach is $108,854 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cliffwood Beach, NJ?

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

Is Cliffwood Beach, NJ affordable?

Cliffwood Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 146 — about 46% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Cliffwood Beach?

Cliffwood Beach has average high temperatures of 63.8°F and average lows of 47.1°F. Annual precipitation is 46.6". Average annual snowfall is 31.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cliffwood Beach at a Glance

Population
3,044
Median Income
$108,854
Home Value
$340,600
Median Rent
$2,598/mo
Unemployment
5.4%
Avg High Temp
63.8°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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