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New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Cost of living in Union County, NJ

Part of the New York Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,927/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 572,549 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,768 45%
Federal tax $676 17%
Healthcare $480 12%
Groceries $392 10%
Transport $250 6%
Energy $194 5%
State tax $112 3%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Union County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,551
per month
1 bedroom
$1,768
per month
2 bedroom
$2,140
per month
3 bedroom
$2,695
per month
4 bedroom
$3,065
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Union County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$100,117
per year
Individual earnings
$51,355
per year
Per capita
$51,850
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Union County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$488,800
Annual property tax
$10,001

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Union County

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 Union County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
12.4%

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 Union County

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 Union County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.7 min
Drive alone
62.4%
Public transit
9.6%
Work from home
12.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Union County

What it costs to live in Union County each month.

Single person
$3,927
per month
  • Rent $1,768
  • Energy $194
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $392
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $676
  • State tax $112
Couple
$5,965
per month
  • Rent $2,140
  • Energy $233
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $650
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,309
  • State tax $354
Family
$8,710
per month
  • Rent $2,695
  • Energy $291
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $986
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,309
  • State tax $354

Frequently asked questions about Union County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Union County?

In Union County, NJ, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,768 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,140 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,695 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Union County?

In Union County, NJ, the average household income is $100,117 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $51,355 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Union County?

The estimated cost of living in Union County, NJ is approximately $3,927 per month for a single person, $5,965 for a couple, $8,710 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Union County?

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

Is Union County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Union County, NJ would need approximately $3,927 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $100,117 per year ($8,343 per month). Union County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Union County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Union County, NJ is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 12.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Union County?

The average home value in Union County, NJ is $488,800, with average annual property taxes of $10,001, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Union County compare to other areas?

You can compare Union County, NJ with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Union County 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 Union County 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