Cost of Living in Fort Lee, NJ - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,021 (excluding rent), and $3,086 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,623 (excluding rent), and $7,029 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.32 $20.32

$15.24 $15.24

$30.48 $30.48

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$61.2 $61.2

$153 $153

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.52 $12.52

$10.01 $10.01

$15.02 $15.02

Cappuccino

$5.36 $5.36

$1.99 $1.99

$7.97 $7.97

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.03 $2.03

$3.04 $3.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.03 $1.03

$2.31 $2.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.15 $7.15

$5.11 $5.11

$10.21 $10.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.1 $9.1

$8.09 $8.09

$13.14 $13.14

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.04 $1.04

$1.76 $1.76

White Bread (500g)

$3.37 $3.37

$2.81 $2.81

$5.6 $5.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$1.98 $1.98

$10.93 $10.93

Eggs

$4.21 $4.21

$2.13 $2.13

$6.78 $6.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.33 $21.33

$6.6 $6.6

$33.03 $33.03

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.81 $11.81

$8.8 $8.8

$22 $22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.56 $17.56

$8.98 $8.98

$20.2 $20.2

Apples (1kg)

$4.84 $4.84

$1.96 $1.96

$10.79 $10.79

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.02 $1.02

$2.23 $2.23

Oranges (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$1.98 $1.98

$10.91 $10.91

Tomato (1kg)

$4.19 $4.19

$2.01 $2.01

$8.85 $8.85

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$1.36 $1.36

$6.8 $6.8

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 $3.79

$2.13 $2.13

$6.47 $6.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.52 $1.52

$5.04 $5.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.03 $2.03

$4.04 $4.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.74 $11.74

$10.29 $10.29

$12.93 $12.93

Wine (Bottle)

$11.87 $11.87

$7.91 $7.91

$24.72 $24.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.71 $1.71

$1.77 $1.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.88 $5.88

$1.84 $1.84

$7.84 $7.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.99 $3.99

$2.83 $2.83

$5.14 $5.14

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.98 $2.98

$6.96 $6.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.1 $2.1

$3.19 $3.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.33 $24.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.77 $0.77

$1.17 $1.17

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.5K $29.5K

$23.6K $23.6K

$35.3K $35.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.1K $25.1K

$45K $45K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$126 $126

$85.1 $85.1

$300 $300

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$45.82 $45.82

$30.55 $30.55

$112 $112

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.9 $65.9

$50.7 $50.7

$101 $101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$126 $126

$25.22 $25.22

$202 $202

Cinema Ticket

$15.19 $15.19

$13.16 $13.16

$20.25 $20.25

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,012 $2,012

$2,515 $2,515

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.3K $23.3K

$14.8K $14.8K

$29.5K $29.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.5 $75.5

$30.25 $30.25

$121 $121

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$60.8 $60.8

$20.27 $20.27

$76 $76

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.9 $68.9

$49.22 $49.22

$98.5 $98.5

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.2 $99.2

$59.5 $59.5

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,220 $2,220

$1,789 $1,789

$2,982 $2,982

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,841 $1,841

$1,160 $1,160

$2,522 $2,522

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,630 $4,630

$3,152 $3,152

$7,388 $7,388

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,973 $3,973

$2,852 $2,852

$5,093 $5,093

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,288 $4,288

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,813 $3,813

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,581 $6,581

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.35

6.19

7.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Fort Lee, NJ - Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lee offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want NYC access without the full city price tag. Compared with Manhattan or Hoboken, you can often find larger living spaces and calmer streets, sometimes at a similar base rent or a bit higher depending on the building and view. The value is strongest for those who prioritize proximity to transit, reliable internet, and a quick bridge or bus ride into the city. It is especially appealing if you plan frequent day trips or flexible workdays. Cost of Living in Fort Lee, NJ, United States can feel reasonable when you weigh space against distance. Tip: map your weekly routine to minimize peak-traffic times.

Daily life in Fort Lee is convenient for working travelers and remote teams. Housing options span mid-rise apartments with river views and quieter townhomes in tree-lined streets; most leases come with basic amenities and good security. Food choices range from supermarkets to diners and international delis, making meal planning flexible for different budgets. For transport, most residents drive or use buses into NYC; cycling is feasible in good weather and some routes connect to bike-friendly paths. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable wifi support focused workdays. Fort Lee, NJ, United States living cost varies by area and season, so scout a few blocks before choosing a lease. Tip: prioritize a transit link that fits your work schedule.

Quality of life in Fort Lee is anchored by safety, outdoor spaces, and streamlined access to NYC. A budgeting framework helps you balance housing with groceries and local services: allocate a steady housing portion, keep a flexible fund for transit, dining, and incidental costs, and track recurring expenses by category. Seasonality matters: winter heating and summer cooling can shift energy usage and budgets, while shoulder seasons may offer better deals on housing or coworking spaces. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: riverfront high-rises suit city-focused schedules; quieter blocks suit families or long-term stays. Tip: test a few neighborhoods at different times of day to see where you feel most productive and relaxed.