Cost of Living in Panther Valley, NJ

Population 4,622 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

132
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 Panther Valley a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $360,000. At 8.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Panther Valley is about 35 miles west of Paterson, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Paterson's $335,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 118
Rent 152

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

About the Cost of Living in Panther Valley

The median home value in Panther Valley is $359,800 — 18% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,000/month, 52% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $128,484/year is 72% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.6%, 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 60.7°F and lows of 40.2°F. Overall, Panther Valley has a cost of living index of 132 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$359,800
18% above avg
Median Rent
$2,000/mo
52% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0x
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 85.7%
Renter-occupied 14.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,000
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,614/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
44.0 min
63% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.5%
Carpooled
2.9%
Public transit
1.9%
Work from home
20.0%

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
$128,484
72% above avg
Per Capita Income
$66,275
Unemployment Rate
8.6%
79% above avg
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor Force Participation
68.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 37.3%
Graduate degree 17.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 49.8
Male median age 49.6
Female median age 50.1

🌤 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 41 — Good
66.8%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
247
PM2.5 days
90
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Panther Valley, NJ?

Panther Valley has a cost index of 132 (100 = national average). It is 32% above the national average.

What is average rent in Panther Valley, NJ?

The median gross rent in Panther Valley is $2,000 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Panther Valley?

The median home value in Panther Valley is $359,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Panther Valley?

The median household income in Panther Valley is $128,484 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Panther Valley, NJ?

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

Is Panther Valley, NJ affordable?

Panther Valley is above average in cost of living, with an index of 132 — about 32% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Panther Valley?

Panther Valley 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.

Panther Valley at a Glance

Population
4,622
Median Income
$128,484
Home Value
$359,800
Median Rent
$2,000/mo
Unemployment
8.6%
Avg High Temp
60.7°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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🗺️ County data for New Jersey

Explore county-level cost of living data

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