Cost of Living in Fort Lee, NJ
Population 39,818 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Fort Lee is effectively a commuter community: the average resident spends 39 minutes each way getting to work, well above the 27-minute US median. Housing costs ($422,000 for a typical home) tend to reflect the tradeoff between price and access.
Geographically, Fort Lee sits roughly 9 miles southwest of Yonkers. Median home values run roughly 12% lower than Yonkers' $478,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Fort Lee
The median home value in Fort Lee is $422,200 — 38% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,255/month, 72% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,535/year is 42% 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 64.0°F and lows of 46.7°F. Overall, Fort Lee has a cost of living index of 152 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 40 | 43 | 51 | 63 | 73 | 82 | 87 | 85 | 78 | 67 | 56 | 45 |
| Low °F | 26 | 27 | 34 | 44 | 53 | 63 | 69 | 67 | 60 | 48 | 38 | 31 |
| Precip" | 3.28 | 2.82 | 4.09 | 3.97 | 3.94 | 4.25 | 4.45 | 4.25 | 4.11 | 3.73 | 3.30 | 4.10 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Fort Lee, NJ?
Fort Lee has a cost index of 152 (100 = national average). It is 52% above the national average.
What is average rent in Fort Lee, NJ?
The median gross rent in Fort Lee is $2,255 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Fort Lee?
The median home value in Fort Lee is $422,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Fort Lee?
The median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Fort Lee, NJ?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fort Lee is 6.6%. The New Jersey state income tax top rate is 10.8%.
Is Fort Lee, NJ affordable?
Fort Lee is above average in cost of living, with an index of 152 — about 52% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Fort Lee?
Fort Lee 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.
Fort Lee at a Glance
- Population
- 39,818
- Median Income
- $105,535
- Home Value
- $422,200
- Median Rent
- $2,255/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.0%
- Avg High Temp
- 64.0°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.6%
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New Jersey Rankings
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