πA single person spends $2,838 per month in Aspen, CO vs $3,373 in Edison, NJ, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,157 per month in Aspen, CO vs $4,737 in Edison, NJ, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,476 per month in Aspen, CO vs $6,101 in Edison, NJ, rent included.
πAspen, CO is about 16% cheaper than Edison, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Aspen, CO and Edison, NJ sit above the global median β Aspen, CO by 112%, Edison, NJ by 152%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.28$25.28
$20.07$20.07
25.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7$68.7
$80.9$80.9
-15.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.94$10.94
$12.62$12.62
-13.31%
Cappuccino
$5.96$5.96
$5.14$5.14
15.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63$3.63
$2.44$2.44
48.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76$2.76
$2.13$2.13
29.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.79$7.79
$8.02$8.02
-2.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.83$7.83
$8.23$8.23
-4.86%
π Groceries & Markets
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16$1.16
$1.23$1.23
-5.69%
White Bread(500g)
$5.28$5.28
$4.00$4.00
32.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$6.81$6.81
$6.21$6.21
9.66%
Eggs
$5.71$5.71
$4.15$4.15
37.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.13$13.13
$13.54$13.54
-3.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.88$16.88
$12.39$12.39
36.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.90$16.90
$15.26$15.26
10.75%
Apples(1kg)
$5.27$5.27
$6.26$6.26
-15.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47$1.47
$2.58$2.58
-43.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.13$6.13
$5.30$5.30
15.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.03$6.03
$6.18$6.18
-2.43%
Potato(1kg)
$4.09$4.09
$4.33$4.33
-5.54%
Onion(1kg)
$3.79$3.79
$4.38$4.38
-13.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.08$3.08
$2.48$2.48
24.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.64$2.64
$2.29$2.29
15.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.99$11.99
$11.10$11.10
8.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.05$17.05
$15.28$15.28
11.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91$1.91
$1.75$1.75
9.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05$3.05
$3.69$3.69
-17.34%
π Getting Around
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.45$3.45
$6.03$6.03
-42.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$203$203
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.53$2.53
$2.98$2.98
-15.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.37$1.37
$0.97$0.97
41.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.77$23.77
$42.67$42.67
-44.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$0.93$0.93
-9.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K$35.2K
$25.6K$25.6K
37.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K$25.5K
$26.3K$26.3K
-2.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$149$149
$181$181
-17.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.1$59.1
$60.5$60.5
-2.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.9$70.9
$67.3$67.3
5.33%
π Sport & Entertainment
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$133$133
$21.82$21.82
509.26%
Cinema Ticket
$16.61$16.61
$14.94$14.94
11.18%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,432$1,432
$1,882$1,882
-23.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$30.6K$30.6K
$14.1K$14.1K
117.23%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.3$71.3
$62.5$62.5
14.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.55$48.55
$55.5$55.5
-12.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.5$91.5
$112$112
-18.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$147$147
$132$132
11.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,600$2,600
$2,153$2,153
20.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,343$1,343
$1,801$1,801
-25.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,675$2,675
$3,210$3,210
-16.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,261$2,261
$2,822$2,822
-19.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$10.9K$10.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,466$7,466
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Aspen, CO
Edison, NJ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,911$4,911
$6,796$6,796
-27.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.42
6.55
-1.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aspen, CO: June 1, 2026
Last update for Edison, NJ: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $2,600 in Aspen, CO versus $2,153 in Edison, NJ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 38% higher in Edison, NJ, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Aspen, CO versus $81.0 in Edison, NJ. Groceries tell a different story β $492 in Aspen, CO vs $447 in Edison, NJ β so Edison, NJ wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Aspen, CO vs Edison, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Aspen, CO or Edison, NJ?
Edison, NJ costs about 19% more than Aspen, CO, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Aspen, CO vs Edison, NJ?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,256 per month in Aspen, CO and $5,059 in Edison, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Aspen, CO or Edison, NJ?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Aspen, CO, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Aspen, CO vs Edison, NJ?
Are groceries more expensive in Aspen, CO or Edison, NJ?
Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Edison, NJ β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Aspen, CO or Edison, NJ?
$2,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $2,838 in Aspen, CO and $3,373 in Edison, NJ. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Aspen, CO β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Aspen, CO or Edison, NJ?
If budget matters most, go with Aspen, CO. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Edison, NJ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.