Cost of Living in Lake Hiawatha, NJ

Population 10,406 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lake Hiawatha is a smaller New Jersey community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $101,500 and housing costs ($403,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.4% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Lake Hiawatha sits roughly 12 miles west of Paterson. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Hiawatha

The median home value in Lake Hiawatha is $402,500 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,426/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $101,500/year is 36% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.4%, 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 62.4°F and lows of 43.8°F. Overall, Lake Hiawatha has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$402,500
32% above avg
Median Rent
$1,426/mo
9% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.5x
Favors renting
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 60.8%
Renter-occupied 39.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,426
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,040/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
24.3 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.7%
Carpooled
5.4%
Public transit
3.3%
Walked
2.0%
Work from home
14.6%

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
$101,500
36% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,688
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
50% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor Force Participation
70.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.6%
Graduate degree 16.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.3
Male median age 40
Female median age 40.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.4°F
Avg Low
43.8°F
Annual Precip
44.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384149627281858476655343
Low °F 232431415160666457453528
Precip" 3.042.554.073.713.394.274.334.493.723.973.304.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
86.5%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
39
PM2.5 days
311
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lake Hiawatha, NJ?

Lake Hiawatha has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Hiawatha, NJ?

The median gross rent in Lake Hiawatha is $1,426 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Hiawatha?

The median home value in Lake Hiawatha is $402,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Hiawatha?

The median household income in Lake Hiawatha is $101,500 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Hiawatha, NJ?

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

Is Lake Hiawatha, NJ affordable?

Lake Hiawatha is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lake Hiawatha?

Lake Hiawatha has average high temperatures of 62.4°F and average lows of 43.8°F. Annual precipitation is 44.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lake Hiawatha at a Glance

Population
10,406
Median Income
$101,500
Home Value
$402,500
Median Rent
$1,426/mo
Unemployment
2.4%
Avg High Temp
62.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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