Cost of Living in Freehold, NJ

Population 12,504 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

134
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Freehold sits on the smaller end of the New Jersey city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 30 miles south of Elizabeth, Freehold falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Elizabeth's $394,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 138

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

About the Cost of Living in Freehold

The median home value in Freehold is $401,900 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,818/month, 38% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,183/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, 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 63.4°F and lows of 44.8°F, with about 26.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Freehold has a cost of living index of 134 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$401,900
32% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$617,667
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,818/mo
38% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,714/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4x
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 50.2%
Renter-occupied 49.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,818
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,432/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
23.9 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
54.5%
Carpooled
16.6%
Public transit
3.7%
Walked
6.0%
Bicycle
2.3%
Work from home
11.5%

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
$82,183
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$35,465
Unemployment Rate
7.1%
47% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Labor Force Participation
69.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.6%
Graduate degree 8.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.4
Male median age 34.5
Female median age 35.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.4°F
Avg Low
44.8°F
Annual Precip
45.6"
Annual Snowfall
26.6"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404351637281868477665544
Low °F 242633425261676558463629
Precip" 3.292.654.003.633.994.354.424.224.053.793.204.04
Snow" 8.28.74.00.50.00.00.00.00.00.10.54.6

💨 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 Freehold, NJ?

Freehold has a cost index of 134 (100 = national average). It is 34% above the national average.

What is average rent in Freehold, NJ?

The median gross rent in Freehold is $1,818 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Freehold?

The median home value in Freehold is $401,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Freehold?

The median household income in Freehold is $82,183 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Freehold, NJ?

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

Is Freehold, NJ affordable?

Freehold is above average in cost of living, with an index of 134 — about 34% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Freehold?

Freehold has average high temperatures of 63.4°F and average lows of 44.8°F. Annual precipitation is 45.6". Average annual snowfall is 26.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Freehold at a Glance

Population
12,504
Median Income
$82,183
Home Value
$401,900
Median Rent
$1,818/mo
Unemployment
7.1%
Avg High Temp
63.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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