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New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Cost of living in New Brunswick, New Jersey

Middlesex County, NJ

Part of the New York Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,954/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 861,535 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,731 44%
Federal tax $726 18%
Healthcare $480 12%
Groceries $392 10%
Transport $250 6%
Energy $194 5%
State tax $126 3%
Water $55 1%

Rent in New Brunswick

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,540
per month
1 bedroom
$1,731
per month
2 bedroom
$2,176
per month
3 bedroom
$2,622
per month
4 bedroom
$2,885
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in New Brunswick

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$109,028
per year
Individual earnings
$54,409
per year
Per capita
$49,417
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in New Brunswick

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$439,300
Annual property tax
$9,684

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in New Brunswick

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$132
per month · 19.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in New Brunswick

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in New Brunswick

State and local tax rates for New Jersey.

State income tax
10.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.6%
Combined sales tax
6.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in New Brunswick

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
31.9 min
Drive alone
63.1%
Public transit
6.3%
Work from home
16.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for New Brunswick

What it costs to live in New Brunswick each month.

Single person
$3,954
per month
  • Rent $1,731
  • Energy $194
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $392
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $726
  • State tax $126
Couple
$6,195
per month
  • Rent $2,176
  • Energy $233
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $650
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,455
  • State tax $402
Family
$8,831
per month
  • Rent $2,622
  • Energy $291
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $986
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,455
  • State tax $402

Frequently asked questions about New Brunswick

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in New Brunswick?

In New Brunswick, New Jersey, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,731 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,176 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,622 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in New Brunswick?

In New Brunswick, New Jersey, the average household income is $109,028 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $54,409 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in New Brunswick?

The estimated cost of living in New Brunswick, New Jersey is approximately $3,954 per month for a single person, $6,195 for a couple, $8,831 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in New Brunswick?

The combined sales tax rate in New Brunswick, New Jersey is 6.63%, which includes the New Jersey state rate of 6.63% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is New Brunswick an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in New Brunswick, New Jersey would need approximately $3,954 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $109,028 per year ($9,086 per month). New Brunswick is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in New Brunswick?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in New Brunswick, New Jersey is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in New Brunswick?

The average home value in New Brunswick, New Jersey is $439,300, with average annual property taxes of $9,684, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does New Brunswick compare to other areas?

You can compare New Brunswick, New Jersey with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. New Brunswick is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area.

Other counties in New Jersey

Browse the full list of counties in New Jersey, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New Jersey

Compare New Brunswick with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources