Cost of Living in New Jersey for a Family of Four (2026)
A family of four in New Jersey needs about $8,855 a month ($106,262 a year) to cover a typical household budget before saving. That is 14% above the U.S. average of $7,777 and ranks #3 of 51, where #1 is the most expensive.
Rent is the main reason it costs more. New Jersey's rent level is 134% of the national average, so a typical three-bedroom rental with utilities runs about $2,726 a month, compared with $2,030 nationally. Everyday goods such as groceries and clothing cost 7% more than the national average, which puts this family's grocery bill at about $1,116 a month on the USDA low-cost food plan.
To cover this budget and still save 15% of take-home pay, a family would need about $10,418 a month after taxes ($125,014 a year).
Monthly budget in New Jersey by household
The family is two parents aged 38 and 40 with children aged 9 and 4, the youngest in paid childcare, renting a three-bedroom home. The couple is two adults aged 35 and the single adult is 30, each renting a one-bedroom home.
| Category | Family of four | Couple | Single adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing & utilities | $2,726 | $1,782 | $1,782 |
| Groceries | $1,116 | $698 | $381 |
| Dining out & takeout | $279 | $175 | $95 |
| Transportation | $1,315 | $1,315 | $658 |
| Health care | $725 | $476 | $238 |
| Childcare | $1,195 | $0 | $0 |
| Phone & internet | $155 | $155 | $115 |
| Clothing | $233 | $165 | $117 |
| Household & personal care | $270 | $191 | $135 |
| Entertainment & hobbies | $414 | $293 | $207 |
| Gifts, giving & other | $426 | $301 | $213 |
| Total per month | $8,855 | $5,552 | $3,941 |
| Total per year | $106,262 | $66,620 | $47,291 |
Estimates for 2026 from LifeCalculator's family budget model: BEA Regional Price Parities by state (2024, released February 2026), USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (August 2026, low-cost plan), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (2024), Census median gross rent (2024) and Child Care Aware of America (2025). Figures from 2024 are adjusted by about 5% for price changes since. Savings and income taxes are not included.
What moves the number
- Childcare. Paid care for the 4-year-old adds about $1,195 a month. Without it, the family budget falls to about $7,660.
- Housing. The figure assumes renting at the state's typical level. Rents in big cities run well above the state average, and rural areas well below it.
- Cars. Transportation assumes typical costs for two drivers, including a car payment. Families with paid-off cars spend less.
- Price level. Overall, prices in New Jersey are 9% above the national average (BEA all-items index 108.8).
States with similar costs
- Washington, D.C.: $9,268 a month (#1)
- California: $9,251 a month (#2)
- Hawaii: $8,818 a month (#4)
- New York: $8,607 a month (#5)
- Washington: $8,582 a month (#6)
See all 50 states and D.C. on the cost of living by state page, or read what it costs a family of four to live in every state.
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