Cost of Living in Somerville, NJ

Population 12,958 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

133
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Somerville 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.

Geographically, Somerville sits roughly 25 miles west of Elizabeth. Housing prices track closely with Elizabeth's $394,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 133

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

About the Cost of Living in Somerville

The median home value in Somerville is $403,600 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,748/month, 33% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,869/year is 39% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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 63.6°F and lows of 41.4°F. Overall, Somerville has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$403,600
32% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$530,141
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,748/mo
33% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,157/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 44.5%
Renter-occupied 55.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,748
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,362/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
28.0 min
4% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.3%
Carpooled
7.9%
Public transit
2.9%
Walked
5.9%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
15.9%

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
$103,869
39% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,478
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
17% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor Force Participation
73.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.3%
Graduate degree 19.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.5
Male median age 36.2
Female median age 34.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.6°F
Avg Low
41.4°F
Annual Precip
45.5"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394351637381868478665544
Low °F 212230394858636154423326
Precip" 3.162.203.893.593.544.234.935.183.823.673.413.87

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
2,333
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Somerville, NJ?

Somerville has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.

What is average rent in Somerville, NJ?

The median gross rent in Somerville is $1,748 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Somerville?

The median home value in Somerville is $403,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Somerville?

The median household income in Somerville is $103,869 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Somerville, NJ?

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

Is Somerville, NJ affordable?

Somerville is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Somerville?

Somerville has average high temperatures of 63.6°F and average lows of 41.4°F. Annual precipitation is 45.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Somerville at a Glance

Population
12,958
Median Income
$103,869
Home Value
$403,600
Median Rent
$1,748/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
63.6°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