Cost of Living in Wanaque, NJ

Population 11,162 · 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

Under 25,000 residents gives Wanaque a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $366,000.

Located 11 miles northwest of Paterson, Wanaque falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 9% higher than Paterson's $335,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 143

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

About the Cost of Living in Wanaque

The median home value in Wanaque is $366,400 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,885/month, 43% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $112,326/year is 51% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, 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 62.4°F and lows of 43.8°F. Overall, Wanaque has a cost of living index of 129 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$366,400
20% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$501,247
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,885/mo
43% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2x
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 78.5%
Renter-occupied 21.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,885
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,499/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
33.3 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.8%
Carpooled
7.1%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
2.1%
Work from home
6.7%

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
$112,326
51% above avg
Per Capita Income
$49,885
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
15% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor Force Participation
67.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.3%
Graduate degree 11.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.3
Male median age 42.2
Female median age 49.6

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
1
Public schools
972
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wanaque, NJ?

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

What is average rent in Wanaque, NJ?

The median gross rent in Wanaque is $1,885 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wanaque?

The median home value in Wanaque is $366,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wanaque?

The median household income in Wanaque is $112,326 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wanaque, NJ?

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

Is Wanaque, NJ affordable?

Wanaque 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 Wanaque?

Wanaque 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.

Wanaque at a Glance

Population
11,162
Median Income
$112,326
Home Value
$366,400
Median Rent
$1,885/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Avg High Temp
62.4°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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