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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,119 (excluding rent), and $2,610 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,968 (excluding rent), and $5,249 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.93 $19.93

$11.96 $11.96

$29.89 $29.89

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$74.4 $74.4

$119 $119

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.02 $12.02

$10.02 $10.02

$15.02 $15.02

Cappuccino

$5.95 $5.95

$3.07 $3.07

$7.16 $7.16

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

$2.52 $2.52

$2.02 $2.02

$3.02 $3.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 $1.62

$1.53 $1.53

$3.07 $3.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$1.96 $1.96

$9.82 $9.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.02 $7.02

$8.03 $8.03

Milk (1 liter)

$1.32 $1.32

$0.81 $0.81

$1.89 $1.89

White Bread (500g)

$4.40 $4.40

$2.75 $2.75

$6.58 $6.58

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.78 $5.78

$1.58 $1.58

$13.54 $13.54

Eggs

$5.46 $5.46

$2.01 $2.01

$10.04 $10.04

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.99 $13.99

$6.71 $6.71

$24.59 $24.59

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.22 $10.22

$4.93 $4.93

$17.53 $17.53

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.99 $14.99

$8.76 $8.76

$24.12 $24.12

Apples (1kg)

$5.59 $5.59

$2.13 $2.13

$10.77 $10.77

Banana (1kg)

$2.64 $2.64

$1.11 $1.11

$8.87 $8.87

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 $4.20

$1.62 $1.62

$10.83 $10.83

Tomato (1kg)

$4.08 $4.08

$2.76 $2.76

$8.56 $8.56

Potato (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.07 $1.07

$8.59 $8.59

Onion (1kg)

$2.61 $2.61

$1.85 $1.85

$7.79 $7.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.48 $1.48

$3.45 $3.45

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.61 $1.61

$3.04 $3.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.30 $15.30

$14.28 $14.28

$20.39 $20.39

Wine (Bottle)

$14.90 $14.90

$10.92 $10.92

$19.86 $19.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.78 $1.78

$4.42 $4.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$2.04 $2.04

$5.10 $5.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.22 $1.22

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 $3.07

$8.20 $8.20

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.22 $2.22

$3.18 $3.18

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.63 $41.63

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.81 $0.81

$1.07 $1.07

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

$23.9K $23.9K

$36.8K $36.8K

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

$24.8K $24.8K

$23.6K $23.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

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

$163 $163

$91.7 $91.7

$713 $713

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

$54.2 $54.2

$25.30 $25.30

$121 $121

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.2 $67.2

$39.23 $39.23

$98.1 $98.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.37 $42.37

$17.25 $17.25

$49.27 $49.27

Cinema Ticket

$20.27 $20.27

$15.20 $15.20

$24.32 $24.32

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

$1,726 $1,726

$822 $822

$3,354 $3,354

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.2K $14.2K

$4,960 $4,960

$25.8K $25.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.73 $49.73

$19.89 $19.89

$54.7 $54.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.5 $59.5

$40.13 $40.13

$95.3 $95.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.5 $85.5

$59.2 $59.2

$98.6 $98.6

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$96.6 $96.6

$78.9 $78.9

$123 $123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,177 $1,177

$1,822 $1,822

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,335 $1,335

$986 $986

$1,479 $1,479

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,614 $2,614

$1,988 $1,988

$2,982 $2,982

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,198 $2,198

$1,682 $1,682

$2,473 $2,473

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,727 $2,727

$1,991 $1,991

$2,727 $2,727

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,683 $2,683

$2,212 $2,212

$2,683 $2,683

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.7

7.15

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

Last update: January 10, 2026

Rutherford, NJ Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

328

Mbps

188

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Rutherford, NJ - Frequently Asked Questions

Rutherford offers a stable, mid-range profile for expats and digital nomads who want dependable access to city amenities without the sheer price of bigger metros. In general terms, you’ll find a balance between housing options, groceries, and services, with predictable costs tied to the broader New Jersey/NY corridor. Cost of Living in Rutherford, NJ, United States is shaped by neighborhood choice – from walkable town centers to quiet residential pockets – so your daily expenses can shift based on where you live and how often you venture into nearby hubs. Tip: start with a short-term rental in a walkable area to test routines.

If you’re budgeting, consider Rutherford, NJ, United States living cost as a reference point across housing, groceries, and transport. For housing, think walkability, safety, and transit access; you'll encounter a range from compact rentals near the center to larger homes in tree-lined streets. Food options include farm markets, delis, and diverse eateries, with pricing that scales by neighborhood and store type. Transport is convenient – commuter trains and buses connect you to New York City and beyond, with cycling lanes in many areas. For work, you can often find comfortable co-working spaces during business hours and good coffee spots for meetings. Tip: map a flexible weekly plan.

Quality of life in Rutherford hinges on neighborhood fit and daily rhythms. You'll find a friendly, compact feel with easy access to parks, schools, and dining; pick a neighborhood that matches your pace – some areas feel village-like, others are closer to transit corridors. A simple budgeting framework helps: track essentials (rent, utilities, groceries), plan for occasional costs (maintenance, social activities), and cap discretionary spending by season, when travel and dining out spike. For savings, mix public transport with occasional rideshares, cook at home, and shop local markets for freshness and value. Tip: align your choice of neighborhood with your work and social routines.