Cost of Living in Hightstown, NJ

Population 5,869 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

115
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 Hightstown a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $333,000.

Hightstown is about 35 miles southwest of Elizabeth, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 15% lower than Elizabeth's $394,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 109
Rent 125

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

About the Cost of Living in Hightstown

The median home value in Hightstown is $333,200 — 9% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,638/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,431/year is 44% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, below 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, Hightstown has a cost of living index of 115 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 15% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$333,200
9% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$174,977
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,638/mo
25% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0x
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 70.8%
Renter-occupied 29.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,638
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,252/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
27.2 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.0%
Carpooled
15.9%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
4.4%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
10.3%

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
$107,431
44% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,572
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
13% below avg
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Labor Force Participation
73.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.4%
Graduate degree 15.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 37.8
Female median age 47.3

🌤 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 49 — Good
53.2%
Good air days/yr
244
Max AQI recorded
242
PM2.5 days
123
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
5,284
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hightstown, NJ?

Hightstown has a cost index of 115 (100 = national average). It is 15% above the national average.

What is average rent in Hightstown, NJ?

The median gross rent in Hightstown is $1,638 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hightstown?

The median home value in Hightstown is $333,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hightstown?

The median household income in Hightstown is $107,431 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hightstown, NJ?

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

Is Hightstown, NJ affordable?

Hightstown is above average in cost of living, with an index of 115 — about 15% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Hightstown?

Hightstown 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.

Hightstown at a Glance

Population
5,869
Median Income
$107,431
Home Value
$333,200
Median Rent
$1,638/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
63.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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