Cost of Living in Wharton, NJ

Population 7,254 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023

126
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wharton is a smaller New Jersey community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $92,548 and housing costs ($348,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Wharton sits roughly 20 miles west of Paterson. Housing prices track closely with Paterson's $335,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 114
Rent 144

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

About the Cost of Living in Wharton

The median home value in Wharton is $348,100 — 14% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,886/month, 44% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,548/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, 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 60.7°F and lows of 40.2°F. Overall, Wharton has a cost of living index of 126 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$348,100
14% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$484,472
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
44% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
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 53.5%
Renter-occupied 46.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,886
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,500/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
33.0 min
22% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.4%
Carpooled
12.8%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
1.6%
Work from home
8.1%

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
$92,548
24% above avg
Per Capita Income
$47,966
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
31% below avg
Poverty Rate
18.8%
Labor Force Participation
70.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.7%
Graduate degree 7.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 39.6
Female median age 39.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.7°F
Avg Low
40.2°F
Annual Precip
48.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617179848274635241
Low °F 192028384857626052423225
Precip" 3.272.834.073.783.834.545.064.854.324.643.434.18

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
86.5%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
39
PM2.5 days
311
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wharton, NJ?

Wharton has a cost index of 126 (100 = national average). It is 26% above the national average.

What is average rent in Wharton, NJ?

The median gross rent in Wharton is $1,886 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wharton?

The median home value in Wharton is $348,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wharton?

The median household income in Wharton is $92,548 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wharton, NJ?

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

Is Wharton, NJ affordable?

Wharton is above average in cost of living, with an index of 126 — about 26% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Wharton?

Wharton has average high temperatures of 60.7°F and average lows of 40.2°F. Annual precipitation is 48.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Wharton at a Glance

Population
7,254
Median Income
$92,548
Home Value
$348,100
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Avg High Temp
60.7°F
Sales Tax
6.6%
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🗺️ County data for New Jersey

Explore county-level cost of living data

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