Cost of Living in Prospect Park, NJ

Population 6,286 · 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

Prospect 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. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Prospect Park is part of the immediate Paterson metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 128
Rent 137

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

About the Cost of Living in Prospect Park

The median home value in Prospect Park is $391,500 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,794/month, 37% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,615/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.2%, 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 62.4°F and lows of 43.8°F. Overall, Prospect Park has a cost of living index of 132 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$391,500
28% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$106,468
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,794/mo
37% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2x
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 40.1%
Renter-occupied 59.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,794
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,408/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
24.4 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.9%
Carpooled
16.1%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
2.9%

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
$48,615
35% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,671
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
70% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.3%
Graduate degree 10.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.4
Male median age 33.3
Female median age 37.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.4°F
Avg Low
43.8°F
Annual Precip
44.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384149627281858476655343
Low °F 232431415160666457453528
Precip" 3.042.554.073.713.394.274.334.493.723.973.304.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
68.3%
Good air days/yr
199
Max AQI recorded
220
PM2.5 days
133
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Prospect Park, NJ?

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

What is average rent in Prospect Park, NJ?

The median gross rent in Prospect Park is $1,794 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Prospect Park?

The median home value in Prospect Park is $391,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Prospect Park?

The median household income in Prospect Park is $48,615 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Prospect Park, NJ?

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

Is Prospect Park, NJ affordable?

Prospect Park 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 Prospect Park?

Prospect Park has average high temperatures of 62.4°F and average lows of 43.8°F. Annual precipitation is 44.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Prospect Park at a Glance

Population
6,286
Median Income
$48,615
Home Value
$391,500
Median Rent
$1,794/mo
Unemployment
8.2%
Avg High Temp
62.4°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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