Cost of Living in Elmwood Park, NJ

Population 21,287 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

151
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 Elmwood Park a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $456,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Elmwood Park is part of the immediate Paterson metro area. Median home values run roughly 36% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 150
Rent 154

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

About the Cost of Living in Elmwood Park

The median home value in Elmwood Park is $456,000 — 50% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,025/month, 54% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $100,852/year is 35% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, 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 64.0°F and lows of 46.7°F. Overall, Elmwood Park has a cost of living index of 151 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$456,000
50% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$600,239
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,025/mo
54% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,443/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8x
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 57.4%
Renter-occupied 42.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,025
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,639/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
30.3 min
12% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.7%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
7.1%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
1.2%
Work from home
7.8%

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
$100,852
35% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,732
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
54% above avg
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Labor Force Participation
67.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.2%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.9
Male median age 38.5
Female median age 41.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.0°F
Avg Low
46.7°F
Annual Precip
46.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404351637382878578675645
Low °F 262734445363696760483831
Precip" 3.282.824.093.973.944.254.454.254.113.733.304.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.9%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
245
PM2.5 days
91
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,653
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elmwood Park, NJ?

Elmwood Park has a cost index of 151 (100 = national average). It is 51% above the national average.

What is average rent in Elmwood Park, NJ?

The median gross rent in Elmwood Park is $2,025 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elmwood Park?

The median home value in Elmwood Park is $456,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elmwood Park?

The median household income in Elmwood Park is $100,852 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elmwood Park, NJ?

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

Is Elmwood Park, NJ affordable?

Elmwood Park is above average in cost of living, with an index of 151 — about 51% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Elmwood Park?

Elmwood Park has average high temperatures of 64.0°F and average lows of 46.7°F. Annual precipitation is 46.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Elmwood Park at a Glance

Population
21,287
Median Income
$100,852
Home Value
$456,000
Median Rent
$2,025/mo
Unemployment
7.4%
Avg High Temp
64.0°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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