Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 51.9% of median family income in Suffolk County, NY and 39.0% in Monmouth County, NJ. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Suffolk County, NY vs Monmouth County, NJ: Cost of Living Difference
Monmouth County, NJ is cheaper than Suffolk County, NY for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Monmouth County, NJ is cheaper than Suffolk County, NY.
Cheaper place
Monmouth County, NJSave about $15,989 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Monmouth County, NJ is estimated to save $15,989 per year.
AnnualSave about $15,989 per year.
MonthlySave about $1,332 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Suffolk County, NY is about $39,580 in Monmouth County, NJ.
Biggest drivers
Food increases by $69 per year. Taxes saves $7,031 per year.
Suffolk County, NY→Monmouth County, NJ
Equivalent salary in Monmouth County, NJ
$39,580
-20.84% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Suffolk County, NY: $147,792
Median Income in Monmouth County, NJ: $155,779
annual living index in Suffolk County, NY 51.92%
annual living index in Monmouth County, NJ 39.00%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Suffolk County, NY to Monmouth County, NJ.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Monmouth County, NJ compared with Suffolk County, NY.
| Category | Suffolk County, NY | Monmouth County, NJ | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | $19,086 | $12,055 | -$7,031(-36.84%) | -$586 | Lower in Monmouth County, NJ |
| Housing | $22,152 | $18,051 | -$4,101(-18.51%) | -$342 | Lower in Monmouth County, NJ |
| Healthcare | $8,055 | $5,580 | -$2,475(-30.73%) | -$206 | Lower in Monmouth County, NJ |
| Other Costs | $8,361 | $7,109 | -$1,252(-14.97%) | -$104 | Lower in Monmouth County, NJ |
| Transport | $14,309 | $13,109 | -$1,200(-8.39%) | -$100 | Lower in Monmouth County, NJ |
| Food | $4,777 | $4,846 | +$69(1.44%) | +$6 | Higher in Monmouth County, NJ |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Suffolk County, NY and Monmouth County, NJ, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $4,101 per year lower in Monmouth County, NJ than in Suffolk County, NY. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Monmouth County, NJ changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $69 per year higher in Monmouth County, NJ than in Suffolk County, NY. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Monmouth County, NJ can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $1,200 per year lower in Monmouth County, NJ than in Suffolk County, NY. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Monmouth County, NJ.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $2,475 per year lower in Monmouth County, NJ than in Suffolk County, NY. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Monmouth County, NJ changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $1,252 per year lower in Monmouth County, NJ than in Suffolk County, NY. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Monmouth County, NJ help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Suffolk County, NY and Monmouth County, NJ, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Monmouth County, NJ, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $7,031 per year lower in Monmouth County, NJ than in Suffolk County, NY. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Monmouth County, NJ matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Suffolk County, NY or Monmouth County, NJ?
Monmouth County, NJ is cheaper than Suffolk County, NY by about $15,989 per year.
How much salary is needed in Monmouth County, NJ?
A $50,000 salary in Suffolk County, NY is modeled as roughly equivalent to $39,580 in Monmouth County, NJ for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Suffolk County, NY vs Monmouth County, NJ comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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