Cost of Living in Lawrenceville, NJ

Population 3,947 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

150
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lawrenceville 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 — 9.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Lawrenceville is about 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 78% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 136
Rent 171

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

About the Cost of Living in Lawrenceville

The median home value in Lawrenceville is $413,600 — 36% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,250/month, 71% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $118,482/year is 59% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.1%, 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, Lawrenceville has a cost of living index of 150 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$413,600
36% above avg
Median Rent
$2,250/mo
71% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3x
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 85.4%
Renter-occupied 14.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,250
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,864/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
34.3 min
27% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
32.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
58.3%
Carpooled
3.5%
Public transit
4.8%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
32.0%

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
$118,482
59% above avg
Per Capita Income
$66,539
Unemployment Rate
9.1%
90% above avg
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Labor Force Participation
70.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.8%
Graduate degree 42.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.4
Male median age 39.1
Female median age 49.3

🌤 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

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,880
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lawrenceville, NJ?

Lawrenceville has a cost index of 150 (100 = national average). It is 50% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lawrenceville, NJ?

The median gross rent in Lawrenceville is $2,250 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lawrenceville?

The median home value in Lawrenceville is $413,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lawrenceville?

The median household income in Lawrenceville is $118,482 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lawrenceville, NJ?

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

Is Lawrenceville, NJ affordable?

Lawrenceville is above average in cost of living, with an index of 150 — about 50% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lawrenceville?

Lawrenceville 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.

Lawrenceville at a Glance

Population
3,947
Median Income
$118,482
Home Value
$413,600
Median Rent
$2,250/mo
Unemployment
9.1%
Avg High Temp
63.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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