Avalon, NJ vs Essex Fells, NJ: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Essex Fells, NJ has a modeled overall cost index 17.0% higher than Avalon, NJ.

Avalon, NJ · modeled 2BR rent
$1,990 / month
Essex Fells, NJ · modeled 2BR rent
$2,850 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Avalon, NJ and Essex Fells, NJ using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $1,071/month in Essex Fells, NJ

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $162,854 in Essex Fells, NJ

Regional cost estimates: Avalon, NJ uses Philadelphia, PA. Essex Fells, NJ uses Newark, NJ. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 17.0%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,071
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$12.9K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Avalon, NJ

Population:1K
Cost Index:
82.3
100 = national average
Typical Home:$2.64M

Essex Fells, NJ

Population:2K
Cost Index:
96.3
100 = national average
Typical Home:$1.40M

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Avalon, NJ

The Garden State

1K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 1K residents.

Essex Fells, NJ

The Garden State

2K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 2K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Avalon, NJ vs Essex Fells, NJ

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Other
↑ 25.1%
Avalon, NJ
$1,696
Essex Fells, NJ
$2,122
Difference
$426
more
Transportation
↑ 23.3%
Avalon, NJ
$1,358
Essex Fells, NJ
$1,674
Difference
$316
more
Housing
↑ 7.1%
Avalon, NJ
$1,990
Essex Fells, NJ
$2,132
Difference
$142
more
Healthcare
↑ 18.6%
Avalon, NJ
$643
Essex Fells, NJ
$763
Difference
$120
more
Groceries
↑ 4.2%
Avalon, NJ
$1,170
Essex Fells, NJ
$1,219
Difference
$49.33
more
All Utilities
↑ 2.8%
Avalon, NJ
$643
Essex Fells, NJ
$661
Difference
$18.02
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,470
To$2,080
↑ $610
1 Bed
From$1,520
To$2,360
↑ $840
2 Bed
From$1,990
To$2,850
↑ $860
3 Bed
From$2,660
To$3,570
↑ $910
Avalon, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,520–$1,520/mo

Essex Fells, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,360–$2,360/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Avalon, NJ
$8,571
Monthly in Essex Fells, NJ
$1,071
Difference

Home Values

Avalon
Essex Fells
$2.64M
Median Value
$1.40M
↓ -1.4%
YoY Change
↑ +9%
↑ +45.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +53.1%

Homes in Essex Fells are 47% less expensive than Avalon

Calculate payment - AvalonCalculate payment - Essex Fells

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Avalon, NJ

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
New Jersey State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,796/month
$105.6K

Essex Fells, NJ

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
New Jersey State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,796/month
$105.6K

Additional Tax Information

Avalon, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%
Property Tax:2.5%

Essex Fells, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%
Property Tax:2.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Avalon
Essex Fells
52 Moderate
Air Quality
N/A
47.3%
Good Air Days
-
100 Very High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌅🌀
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.9°F
22 days
Heat Days >95°F
15 days
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.9°F
22 days
Heat Days >95°F
15 days

Before moving from Avalon, NJ to Essex Fells, NJ

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Essex Fells, NJ for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Avalon, NJ. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Avalon to Essex Fells moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Essex Fells, NJ by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Avalon, NJ vs Essex Fells, NJ

How do the cost estimates for Avalon, NJ and Essex Fells, NJ compare?

Essex Fells, NJ has a modeled overall cost index 17.0% higher than Avalon, NJ. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Avalon, NJ, the model estimates $162,854 in Essex Fells, NJ. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Avalon, NJ and Essex Fells, NJ?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,990/month in Avalon, NJ and $2,850/month in Essex Fells, NJ. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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