Cost of Living in Plainfield, NJ
Updated November 2026 · Union County · New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area · population 55,236
Prices in Plainfield are 12.7% above the US average (local index 112.7; 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 134.5; a single adult's modelled budget is about $3,119 a month and the median rent is $1,767.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Plainfield'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.
Plainfield price index by category, US average = 100: All items 112.7, Housing (rents) 134.5, Goods 110.3, Utilities 127.0, Other services 105.8
It is the 4th most expensive of the 19 New Jersey cities in our data. More expensive than 82% 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 Plainfield, NJ
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,250 | $15,000 | 40% |
| Utilities | $311 | $3,732 | 10% |
| Food at home | $311 | $3,732 | 10% |
| Transportation | $693 | $8,316 | 22% |
| Health care | $372 | $4,464 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $182 | $2,184 | 6% |
| Total | $3,119 | $37,428 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Plainfield, NJ
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,570 | $18,840 | 31% |
| Utilities | $497 | $5,964 | 10% |
| Food at home | $574 | $6,888 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,373 | $16,476 | 27% |
| Health care | $689 | $8,268 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $360 | $4,320 | 7% |
| Total | $5,063 | $60,756 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Plainfield, NJ
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,882 | $22,584 | 30% |
| Utilities | $605 | $7,260 | 10% |
| Food at home | $819 | $9,828 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,823 | $21,876 | 29% |
| Health care | $642 | $7,704 | 10% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $464 | $5,568 | 7% |
| Total | $6,235 | $74,820 | 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 Plainfield
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,468 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,394 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,750 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,098 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,555 |
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 | $1,767 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,585 |
| Median home value | $410,800 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $2,689/mo |
| Median household income | $85,908 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 32.4% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.8× |
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 Plainfield are 12.7% above the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $53,200 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 112.7. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick, NJ | 9 mi | 113.4 | $3,320 | $1,814 |
| Perth Amboy, NJ | 10 mi | 111.6 | $2,974 | $1,688 |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 12 mi | 109.3 | $2,978 | $1,523 |
| Newark, NJ | 15 mi | 107.5 | $2,722 | $1,392 |
| East Orange, NJ | 15 mi | 108.2 | $2,917 | $1,441 |
| Bayonne, NJ | 16 mi | 111.5 | $3,108 | $1,682 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale, CA | 112.7 | $3,134 | $1,802 |
| Margate, FL | 112.7 | $3,332 | $1,750 |
| Miami, FL | 112.8 | $3,174 | $1,758 |
| Gardena, CA | 112.8 | $3,416 | $1,809 |
| Murrieta, CA | 112.6 | $3,736 | $2,388 |
| Malden, MA | 112.6 | $3,571 | $2,204 |
Compare Plainfield with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Plainfield, NJ an expensive place to live?
Plainfield has a local cost of living index of 112.7, which is 12.7% 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 Plainfield's own rents. It is 3.9 points above the New Jersey average. It is the 4th most expensive of the 19 New Jersey cities in our data. More expensive than 82% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Plainfield?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $3,119 for a single adult, $5,063 for a couple and $6,235 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 $67,600 in Plainfield.
What is the average rent in Plainfield?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,767 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,394, 2 bedrooms $1,750, 3 bedrooms $2,098. The typical renter spends 32.4% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Plainfield?
The median owner-estimated home value is $410,800, 4.8 times the median household income of $85,908 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $2,689 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Plainfield?
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 3459190 (Plainfield city).
- 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