Cost of Living in West Long Branch, NJ

Population 8,576 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

183
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

West Long Branch's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $631,000 for a typical home, 107% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $123,661 that put it in the upper third of the state. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 25 miles south of New York, West Long Branch falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than New York's $752,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 207
Rent 147

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

About the Cost of Living in West Long Branch

The median home value in West Long Branch is $631,300 — 107% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,936/month, 47% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $123,661/year is 66% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, 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 61.6°F and lows of 47.0°F, with about 25.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, West Long Branch has a cost of living index of 183 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 83% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$631,300
107% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$655,764
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,936/mo
47% above avg
Zillow Rent
$44,500/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.2x
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 71.5%
Renter-occupied 28.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,936
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,550/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
30.9 min
14% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.7%
Carpooled
3.7%
Public transit
3.2%
Walked
5.4%
Work from home
20.7%

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
$123,661
66% above avg
Per Capita Income
$53,217
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
40% above avg
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor Force Participation
62.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.0%
Graduate degree 16.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.4
Male median age 31.8
Female median age 29.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.6°F
Avg Low
47.0°F
Annual Precip
43.3"
Annual Snowfall
25.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404249596878848276655445
Low °F 262734435362696861504032
Precip" 3.232.763.943.553.663.853.864.113.583.723.073.96
Snow" 7.58.64.30.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.44.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
85%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
247
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,252
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in West Long Branch, NJ?

West Long Branch has a cost index of 183 (100 = national average). It is 83% above the national average.

What is average rent in West Long Branch, NJ?

The median gross rent in West Long Branch is $1,936 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in West Long Branch?

The median home value in West Long Branch is $631,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in West Long Branch?

The median household income in West Long Branch is $123,661 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in West Long Branch, NJ?

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

Is West Long Branch, NJ affordable?

West Long Branch is above average in cost of living, with an index of 183 — about 83% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in West Long Branch?

West Long Branch has average high temperatures of 61.6°F and average lows of 47.0°F. Annual precipitation is 43.3". Average annual snowfall is 25.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

West Long Branch at a Glance

Population
8,576
Median Income
$123,661
Home Value
$631,300
Median Rent
$1,936/mo
Unemployment
6.7%
Avg High Temp
61.6°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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