Cost of Living in Linden, NJ

Population 43,614 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

127
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Linden lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $387,000 — 27% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in New Jersey. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Linden is part of the immediate Elizabeth metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Elizabeth's $394,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 127
Rent 128

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

About the Cost of Living in Linden

The median home value in Linden is $387,200 — 27% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,677/month, 28% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,036/year is 22% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.5%, 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 63.8°F and lows of 47.1°F, with about 31.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Linden has a cost of living index of 127 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$387,200
27% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$542,929
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,677/mo
28% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,467/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2x
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 61.2%
Renter-occupied 38.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,677
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,291/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
33.8 min
25% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.9%
Carpooled
11.9%
Public transit
7.1%
Walked
2.4%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
6.2%

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
$91,036
22% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,093
Unemployment Rate
8.5%
76% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor Force Participation
70.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.0%
Graduate degree 7.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.8
Male median age 39.8
Female median age 39.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.8°F
Avg Low
47.1°F
Annual Precip
46.6"
Annual Snowfall
31.5"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404351637382878578665545
Low °F 262734445464696861493931
Precip" 3.422.984.133.873.974.344.664.153.823.793.334.14
Snow" 9.110.15.60.50.00.00.00.00.00.20.65.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
44.7%
Good air days/yr
227
Max AQI recorded
329
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
6,354
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Linden, NJ?

Linden has a cost index of 127 (100 = national average). It is 27% above the national average.

What is average rent in Linden, NJ?

The median gross rent in Linden is $1,677 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Linden?

The median home value in Linden is $387,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Linden?

The median household income in Linden is $91,036 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Linden, NJ?

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

Is Linden, NJ affordable?

Linden is above average in cost of living, with an index of 127 — about 27% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Linden?

Linden has average high temperatures of 63.8°F and average lows of 47.1°F. Annual precipitation is 46.6". Average annual snowfall is 31.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Linden at a Glance

Population
43,614
Median Income
$91,036
Home Value
$387,200
Median Rent
$1,677/mo
Unemployment
8.5%
Avg High Temp
63.8°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
View all cities in New Jersey →
🗺️ County data for New Jersey

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs