Cost of Living in Pine Lake Park, NJ

Population 9,251 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

129
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Pine Lake Park 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.

Pine Lake Park is about 45 miles south of Elizabeth, the nearest large metro — 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 124
Rent 136

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

About the Cost of Living in Pine Lake Park

The median home value in Pine Lake Park is $377,200 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,785/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,998/year is 18% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, 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 64.4°F and lows of 44.5°F. Overall, Pine Lake Park has a cost of living index of 129 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$377,200
24% above avg
Median Rent
$1,785/mo
36% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
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 84.8%
Renter-occupied 15.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,785
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,399/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
40.9 min
51% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.3%
Carpooled
7.2%
Public transit
2.4%
Work from home
11.0%

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
$87,998
18% above avg
Per Capita Income
$36,154
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
3% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor Force Participation
67.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.2%
Graduate degree 7.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.8
Male median age 36.7
Female median age 36.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.4°F
Avg Low
44.5°F
Annual Precip
42.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414452647382878578665646
Low °F 252633425161666457463629
Precip" 2.972.573.833.372.953.735.194.403.393.672.983.74

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
71.5%
Good air days/yr
248
Max AQI recorded
200
PM2.5 days
165
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Pine Lake Park, NJ?

Pine Lake Park has a cost index of 129 (100 = national average). It is 29% above the national average.

What is average rent in Pine Lake Park, NJ?

The median gross rent in Pine Lake Park is $1,785 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Pine Lake Park?

The median home value in Pine Lake Park is $377,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Pine Lake Park?

The median household income in Pine Lake Park is $87,998 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pine Lake Park, NJ?

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

Is Pine Lake Park, NJ affordable?

Pine Lake Park is above average in cost of living, with an index of 129 — about 29% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Pine Lake Park?

Pine Lake Park has average high temperatures of 64.4°F and average lows of 44.5°F. Annual precipitation is 42.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.