City Comparison
Toms River vs Edison
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Toms River
Edison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Edison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toms River's average rent is
27% higher than Edison's.
| Metric | Toms River | Edison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $2,200 | +27% |
| Groceries | $460 | $480 | -4% |
| Utilities | $190 | $185 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $140 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $230 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,840 | $3,235 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toms River is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Edison.
| Metric | Toms River | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $82,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,609 idx | 66,129 idx |
| Household Income | $99,547 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Edison sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Toms River | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | 55.00°F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | 24.90°F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | 41.30 in |
| Snowfall | 13.60 in | 16.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | 250 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Edison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toms River | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edison is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Toms River.
From a growth perspective, Toms River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toms River | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,621 | 107,585 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toms River
Advantages
Median household income is strong at approximately $99,547, outperforming national averages per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to the Jersey Shore provides unmatched access to beaches, boating, and coastal recreation.
High homeownership rate of over 81% reflects a stable, family-oriented community fabric.
Crime rates remain lower than the national average, ensuring safe neighborhoods across the township.
Extensive local parks, recreational programs, and community events enhance everyday lifestyle quality.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes are significantly higher than the national median.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles leads to seasonal traffic congestion along primary travel routes.
Average monthly rent prices exceed $2,800, creating affordability hurdles for prospective renters.
Summer tourism influx causes temporary crowding on local roadways and beaches.
Vulnerability to severe coastal weather events requires ongoing infrastructure and insurance considerations.
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Toms River
#357New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.72%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
70
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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