Cost of Living in Hackensack, NJ - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,036 (excluding rent), and $2,977 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,696 (excluding rent), and $6,429 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.7 $19.7

$11.82 $11.82

$29.55 $29.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$61 $61

$153 $153

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.1 $14.1

$10.07 $10.07

$15.11 $15.11

Cappuccino

$5.3 $5.3

$1.97 $1.97

$6.4 $6.4

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

$2.47 $2.47

$2.05 $2.05

$3.07 $3.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.49 $1.49

$2.23 $2.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.07 $7.07

$5.05 $5.05

$10.1 $10.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.8 $8.8

$5.87 $5.87

$11.74 $11.74

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

$0.77 $0.77

$1.69 $1.69

White Bread (500g)

$3.79 $3.79

$1.89 $1.89

$5.52 $5.52

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$1.52 $1.52

$8.68 $8.68

Eggs

$4.7 $4.7

$1.94 $1.94

$6.79 $6.79

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.12 $14.12

$6.68 $6.68

$33.44 $33.44

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.2 $10.2

$4.38 $4.38

$15.31 $15.31

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.49 $17.49

$8.94 $8.94

$20.11 $20.11

Apples (1kg)

$5.02 $5.02

$2.03 $2.03

$6.69 $6.69

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$0.98 $0.98

$2.14 $2.14

Oranges (1kg)

$3.85 $3.85

$1.6 $1.6

$6.42 $6.42

Tomato (1kg)

$4.14 $4.14

$1.98 $1.98

$8.71 $8.71

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$1.13 $1.13

$4.54 $4.54

Onion (1kg)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.34 $1.34

$5.6 $5.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.26 $1.26

$3.54 $3.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$1.49 $1.49

$3.97 $3.97

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.08 $12.08

$10.09 $10.09

$13.31 $13.31

Wine (Bottle)

$14.76 $14.76

$7.87 $7.87

$19.68 $19.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68 $1.68

$1.39 $1.39

$1.68 $1.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.52 $4.52

$1.92 $1.92

$5.37 $5.37

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.46 $3.46

$1.23 $1.23

$3.46 $3.46

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$60.6 $60.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 $2.96

$6.9 $6.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.1 $2.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.41 $24.41

$42.72 $42.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.77 $0.77

$0.98 $0.98

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

$24.1K $24.1K

$37.1K $37.1K

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.4K $26.4K

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

$213 $213

$84.3 $84.3

$415 $415

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

$54.4 $54.4

$35.55 $35.55

$71.1 $71.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.8 $57.8

$39.61 $39.61

$74.3 $74.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.5 $44.5

$19.78 $19.78

$69.2 $69.2

Cinema Ticket

$20.21 $20.21

$13.14 $13.14

$24.26 $24.26

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

$1,376 $1,376

$1,179 $1,179

$1,572 $1,572

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K $15.8K

$14.8K $14.8K

$29.7K $29.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.91 $49.91

$19.96 $19.96

$54.9 $54.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.9 $63.9

$20.18 $20.18

$80.7 $80.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.2 $88.2

$61.1 $61.1

$102 $102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.1 $99.1

$60.7 $60.7

$202 $202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,794 $1,794

$1,196 $1,196

$1,851 $1,851

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,643 $1,643

$1,524 $1,524

$1,829 $1,829

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,367 $3,367

$1,981 $1,981

$3,367 $3,367

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,281 $3,281

$2,726 $2,726

$3,837 $3,837

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,637 $3,637

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,320 $3,320

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,457 $4,457

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.62

7.15

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Hackensack, NJ - Frequently Asked Questions

Hackensack sits just across the river from Manhattan, offering a practical balance of value and convenience for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You'll find a range of housing options, from modest apartments to well-located studios, paired with everyday costs for groceries, meals, and services that are generally friendlier than in NYC. The transit links are reliable, and you can enjoy shopping, parks, and cultural options without the price pressure of downtown, which keeps your budget flexible for occasional trips to the city. Cost of Living in Hackensack, NJ, United States remains competitive among the tri-state area's residential hubs. Tip: Plan a few weeks of scouting before you commit to a neighborhood.

Daily life blends practical convenience with a calmer pace than NYC yet with fast rail access for day trips. When housing search, target walkable cores or river-adjacent pockets; shorter leases or furnished options can ease transitions. Food choices cover supermarkets, farmers' markets, and casual eateries that won't drain your budget, and you can save by cooking at home. For work, co-working spaces and cafes are friendly, with reliable wifi and shorter commutes. Hackensack, NJ, United States living cost remains reasonable compared with larger metros, especially if you balance housing with transit days. Tip: Schedule a test week to compare coworking and grocery runs.

Quality of life here comes from easy access to services, green spaces, and a strong local network. Build a simple budgeting framework that breaks your month into core buckets: housing, groceries, transport, utilities, and personal needs, then adjust as the seasons shift. You can save by shopping at local markets, taking advantage of library programs, and choosing off-peak times for events. Neighborhood fit matters: a quieter residential street near shops offers focus and longer evenings, while a busier downtown area suits you if you crave social opportunities and coworking buzz. Tip: map two or three neighborhoods for a weekend stay and compare vibe, pace, and amenities.