Cost of Living in Lakewood, NJ
Updated November 2026 · Ocean County · New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area · population 69,585
Prices in Lakewood are 12.0% above the US average (local index 112.0; the BEA index for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is 112.6), with local housing the biggest cost driver at 130.8; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,790 a month and the median rent is $1,718.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Lakewood's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, unchanged.
Lakewood price index by category, US average = 100: All items 112.0, Housing (rents) 130.8, Goods 110.3, Utilities 127.0, Other services 105.8
It is the 6th most expensive of the 19 New Jersey cities in our data. More expensive than 80% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 114.9 | 115.6 | 114.8 | 113.0 | 112.6 | 112.6 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lakewood, NJ
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $924 | $11,088 | 33% |
| Utilities | $311 | $3,732 | 11% |
| Food at home | $311 | $3,732 | 11% |
| Transportation | $690 | $8,280 | 25% |
| Health care | $372 | $4,464 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $182 | $2,184 | 7% |
| Total | $2,790 | $33,480 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lakewood, NJ
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,456 | $17,472 | 29% |
| Utilities | $497 | $5,964 | 10% |
| Food at home | $574 | $6,888 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,367 | $16,404 | 28% |
| Health care | $689 | $8,268 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $360 | $4,320 | 7% |
| Total | $4,943 | $59,316 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lakewood, NJ
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,610 | $19,320 | 27% |
| Utilities | $605 | $7,260 | 10% |
| Food at home | $819 | $9,828 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,814 | $21,768 | 30% |
| Health care | $642 | $7,704 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $464 | $5,568 | 8% |
| Total | $5,954 | $71,448 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Lakewood
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,581 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,060 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,670 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,846 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,216 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,718 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,498 |
| Median home value | $715,500 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $3,281/mo |
| Median household income | $56,968 |
| Rent as % of renter income Very expensive | 49.1% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very expensive | 12.6× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in New Jersey
24.61¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: −0.4% (from 24.70¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 675 kWh a month in New Jersey ≈ $160/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)
$4.23 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +38.3% (from $3.06) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; New Jersey is covered by the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) average.
Inflation in the Northeast
Consumer prices in the Northeast Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Lakewood are 12.0% above the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $53,600 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 112.0. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River, NJ | 7 mi | 112.2 | $3,124 | $1,731 |
| Perth Amboy, NJ | 30 mi | 111.6 | $2,974 | $1,688 |
| New Brunswick, NJ | 30 mi | 113.4 | $3,320 | $1,814 |
| Trenton, NJ | 31 mi | 99.3 | $2,553 | $1,294 |
| Levittown, PA | 34 mi | 103.7 | $3,105 | $1,556 |
| Plainfield, NJ | 38 mi | 112.7 | $3,119 | $1,767 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton, MD | 112.0 | $3,314 | $2,163 |
| Rocklin, CA | 112.0 | $3,564 | $2,258 |
| North Miami, FL | 112.0 | $3,153 | $1,702 |
| Temecula, CA | 112.1 | $3,647 | $2,347 |
| Elk Grove, CA | 112.1 | $3,120 | $2,262 |
| Chino, CA | 111.9 | $3,623 | $2,336 |
Compare Lakewood with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakewood, NJ an expensive place to live?
Lakewood has a local cost of living index of 112.0, which is 12.0% above the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (112.6) and adjusts housing to Lakewood's own rents. It is 3.2 points above the New Jersey average. It is the 6th most expensive of the 19 New Jersey cities in our data. More expensive than 80% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Lakewood?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,790 for a single adult, $4,943 for a couple and $5,954 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $67,200 in Lakewood.
What is the average rent in Lakewood?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,718 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,060, 2 bedrooms $1,670, 3 bedrooms $1,846. The typical renter spends 49.1% of household income on rent (very expensive).
How much does a house cost in Lakewood?
The median owner-estimated home value is $715,500, 12.6 times the median household income of $56,968 (very expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $3,281 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Lakewood?
New Jersey residential electricity averaged 24.61¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.23 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 112.6) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 3438580 (Lakewood CDP).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, New Jersey residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Northeast region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources