Cost of Living in Ridgefield Park, NJ

Population 13,167 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

140
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Ridgefield 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 10.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Ridgefield Park sits roughly 9 miles southeast of Paterson — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 37% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 151
Rent 124

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

About the Cost of Living in Ridgefield Park

The median home value in Ridgefield Park is $459,400 — 51% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,633/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $98,184/year is 32% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.3%, 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 64.0°F and lows of 46.7°F. Overall, Ridgefield Park has a cost of living index of 140 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$459,400
51% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$569,191
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,633/mo
24% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,261/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.4x
Favors renting
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 57.3%
Renter-occupied 42.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,633
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,247/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
30.0 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.5%
Carpooled
10.4%
Public transit
11.2%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
9.9%

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
$98,184
32% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,084
Unemployment Rate
10.3%
113% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.0%
Labor Force Participation
75.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.9%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38
Male median age 37.1
Female median age 40

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.0°F
Avg Low
46.7°F
Annual Precip
46.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404351637382878578675645
Low °F 262734445363696760483831
Precip" 3.282.824.093.973.944.254.454.254.113.733.304.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.9%
Good air days/yr
197
Max AQI recorded
245
PM2.5 days
91
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
2,234
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Ridgefield Park has a cost index of 140 (100 = national average). It is 40% above the national average.

What is average rent in Ridgefield Park, NJ?

The median gross rent in Ridgefield Park is $1,633 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ridgefield Park?

The median home value in Ridgefield Park is $459,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ridgefield Park?

The median household income in Ridgefield Park is $98,184 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ridgefield Park, NJ?

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

Is Ridgefield Park, NJ affordable?

Ridgefield Park is above average in cost of living, with an index of 140 — about 40% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Ridgefield Park?

Ridgefield Park has average high temperatures of 64.0°F and average lows of 46.7°F. Annual precipitation is 46.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ridgefield Park at a Glance

Population
13,167
Median Income
$98,184
Home Value
$459,400
Median Rent
$1,633/mo
Unemployment
10.3%
Avg High Temp
64.0°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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