Cost of Living in Hackettstown, NJ

Population 10,143 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

110
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 Hackettstown a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $337,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.9% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 35 miles west of Paterson, Hackettstown falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Paterson's $335,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 111
Rent 108

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

About the Cost of Living in Hackettstown

The median home value in Hackettstown is $337,100 — 11% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,419/month, 8% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,250/year is 22% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.9%, 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 60.7°F and lows of 40.2°F. Overall, Hackettstown has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$337,100
11% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$477,993
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,419/mo
8% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,513/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8x
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 59.3%
Renter-occupied 40.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,419
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,033/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
34.4 min
27% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.6%
Carpooled
10.5%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
4.5%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
9.8%

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
$91,250
22% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,297
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
64% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Labor Force Participation
69.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.2%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38
Male median age 38.4
Female median age 37.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.7°F
Avg Low
40.2°F
Annual Precip
48.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617179848274635241
Low °F 192028384857626052423225
Precip" 3.272.834.073.783.834.545.064.854.324.643.434.18

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
66.8%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
247
PM2.5 days
90
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,975
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hackettstown, NJ?

Hackettstown has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Hackettstown, NJ?

The median gross rent in Hackettstown is $1,419 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hackettstown?

The median home value in Hackettstown is $337,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hackettstown?

The median household income in Hackettstown is $91,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hackettstown, NJ?

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

Is Hackettstown, NJ affordable?

Hackettstown is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Hackettstown?

Hackettstown has average high temperatures of 60.7°F and average lows of 40.2°F. Annual precipitation is 48.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Hackettstown at a Glance

Population
10,143
Median Income
$91,250
Home Value
$337,100
Median Rent
$1,419/mo
Unemployment
7.9%
Avg High Temp
60.7°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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