πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $4,079 in Bergen County, NJ versus $2,834 in Romford.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,118 in Bergen County, NJ versus $4,407 in Romford.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,157 in Bergen County, NJ versus $5,981 in Romford.
πLiving in Bergen County, NJ is roughly 44% more expensive than Romford, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Bergen County, NJ204% above, Romford111% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.71$19.71
$27.67Β£20.57
-28.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.0$84.0
$109Β£80.8
-22.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.07$14.07
$10.31Β£7.66
36.47%
Cappuccino
$5.02$5.02
$4.61Β£3.42
8.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45$2.45
$2.18Β£1.62
12.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24$2.24
$1.56Β£1.16
43.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.80$6.80
$8.68Β£6.45
-21.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.15$9.15
$6.90Β£5.13
32.61%
π Groceries & Markets
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26$1.26
$1.82Β£1.35
-30.77%
White Bread(500g)
$4.44$4.44
$2.06Β£1.53
115.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$8.96$8.96
$2.47Β£1.84
262.75%
Eggs
$4.90$4.90
$5.01Β£3.72
-2.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.37$17.37
$11.29Β£8.39
53.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.94$11.94
$8.90Β£6.62
34.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.72$17.72
$14.70Β£10.93
20.54%
Apples(1kg)
$5.07$5.07
$3.16Β£2.35
60.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77$1.77
$1.94Β£1.44
-8.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.02$4.02
$3.29Β£2.45
22.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.22$4.22
$3.53Β£2.62
19.55%
Potato(1kg)
$2.90$2.90
$1.75Β£1.30
65.71%
Onion(1kg)
$3.83$3.83
$2.03Β£1.51
88.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.45$2.45
$1.18Β£0.88
107.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25$2.25
$1.60Β£1.19
40.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.54$13.54
$20.72Β£15.40
-34.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.12$15.12
$13.65Β£10.14
10.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77$1.77
$2.79Β£2.07
-36.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58$3.58
$2.92Β£2.17
22.60%
π Getting Around
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.29$4.29
$3.69Β£2.75
16.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$171$171
$276Β£205
-38.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.98$2.98
$4.46Β£3.31
-33.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.37$1.37
$2.12Β£1.58
-35.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.68$23.68
$41.15Β£30.59
-42.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92$0.92
$1.89Β£1.40
-51.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2K$29.2K
$39.1KΒ£29.1K
-25.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K$25.8K
$39.3KΒ£29.2K
-34.39%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$126$126
$322Β£239
-60.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.22$45.22
$19.69Β£14.63
129.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2$65.2
$42.40Β£31.51
53.80%
π Sport & Entertainment
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.15$42.15
$50.8Β£37.73
-16.96%
Cinema Ticket
$17.11$17.11
$17.83Β£13.25
-4.04%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,294$2,294
$1,836Β£1,365
24.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.6K$23.6K
$19.4KΒ£14.4K
21.84%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.9$74.9
$92.2Β£68.6
-18.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.44$24.44
$42.67Β£31.72
-42.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.5$87.5
$108Β£80.1
-18.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117$117
$89.4Β£66.5
30.60%
π Accommodation & Living
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,728$2,728
$1,873Β£1,392
45.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,685$2,685
$1,220Β£907
119.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,719$4,719
$3,334Β£2,478
41.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,968$2,968
$2,342Β£1,741
26.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,947$3,947
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,701$3,701
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Bergen County, NJ
Romford
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,456$5,456
$2,873Β£2,135
89.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.57
5.05
30.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bergen County, NJ: June 2, 2026
Last update for Romford: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,728 in Bergen County, NJ and $1,873 in Romford. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Bergen County, NJ pays 90% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $84.0 in Bergen County, NJ vs $109 in Romford. Groceries flip the comparison at $450 vs $330, with Romford cheaper for home cooking.
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
Bergen County, NJ vs Romford: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bergen County, NJ and Romford?
Bergen County, NJ and Romford differ by about 44% in total monthly costs ($4,079 vs $2,834 including rent). Romford is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bergen County, NJ or Romford?
Bergen County, NJ pays 90% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bergen County, NJ and Romford?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,728 in Bergen County, NJ versus $1,873 in Romford. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Romford β a meal for two runs $109 versus $84.0 in Bergen County, NJ. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bergen County, NJ or Romford?
All in, you'll spend $4,079 per month in Bergen County, NJ versus $2,834 in Romford β a 44% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Romford is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Bergen County, NJ and Romford?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Bergen County, NJ or Romford?
Expats usually find Romford gentler on the wallet β expenses run 44% less than in Bergen County, NJ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Bergen County, NJ vs other spots: cost of living compared