Cost of Living in Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Population 10,383 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

125
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lake Hopatcong is a smaller New Jersey community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $111,614 and housing costs ($388,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 25 miles west of Paterson, Lake Hopatcong falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 127
Rent 122

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Hopatcong

The median home value in Lake Hopatcong is $388,300 — 27% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,599/month, 22% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $111,614/year is 50% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, 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 60.7°F and lows of 40.2°F. Overall, Lake Hopatcong has a cost of living index of 125 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$388,300
27% above avg
Median Rent
$1,599/mo
22% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2x
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 93.4%
Renter-occupied 6.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,599
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,213/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
33.2 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
6.8%
Public transit
3.5%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
12.7%

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
$111,614
50% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,567
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
48% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor Force Participation
67.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.3%
Graduate degree 14.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.5
Male median age 48.7
Female median age 43.9

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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,808
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lake Hopatcong has a cost index of 125 (100 = national average). It is 25% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Hopatcong, NJ?

The median gross rent in Lake Hopatcong is $1,599 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Hopatcong?

The median home value in Lake Hopatcong is $388,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Hopatcong?

The median household income in Lake Hopatcong is $111,614 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Hopatcong, NJ?

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

Is Lake Hopatcong, NJ affordable?

Lake Hopatcong is above average in cost of living, with an index of 125 — about 25% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lake Hopatcong?

Lake Hopatcong 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.

Lake Hopatcong at a Glance

Population
10,383
Median Income
$111,614
Home Value
$388,300
Median Rent
$1,599/mo
Unemployment
2.5%
Avg High Temp
60.7°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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