Cost of Living in Toms River, NJ

Population 93,915 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

125
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Toms River lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $378,000 — 24% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in New Jersey.

Toms River 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 128

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

About the Cost of Living in Toms River

The median home value in Toms River is $377,800 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,678/month, 28% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $95,759/year is 28% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 64.4°F and lows of 44.5°F. Overall, Toms River has a cost of living index of 125 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$377,800
24% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$448,732
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,678/mo
28% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,874/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8x
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 81.4%
Renter-occupied 18.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,678
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,292/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
32.5 min
20% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.5%
Carpooled
8.2%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
0.4%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
12.7%

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
$95,759
28% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,487
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.1%
Graduate degree 12.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.6
Male median age 40.3
Female median age 42.9

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
18
Public schools
15,305
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Toms River, NJ?

Toms River has a cost index of 125 (100 = national average). It is 25% above the national average.

What is average rent in Toms River, NJ?

The median gross rent in Toms River is $1,678 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Toms River?

The median home value in Toms River is $377,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Toms River?

The median household income in Toms River is $95,759 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Toms River, NJ?

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

Is Toms River, NJ affordable?

Toms River is above average in cost of living, with an index of 125 — about 25% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Toms River?

Toms River 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.