City Comparison
Passaic vs Brick
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brick scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Brick
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Passaic is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Brick.
| Metric | Passaic | Brick | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $2,150 | -1% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $3,175 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brick offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brick delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Passaic is estimated at
$62,000 vs $62,000 in Brick.
| Metric | Passaic | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $94,850 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 5.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | 81.90°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 15.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 244 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Passaic scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Passaic leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Passaic | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Brick is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Brick is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brick has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Passaic | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 73,620 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Passaic
Advantages
Average rent of $2,125 offers a more accessible entry point into the New York metro area compared to nearby towns
Exceptional transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus lines offering direct routes to New York City
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant culinary scene, local festivals, and active commercial districts
High urban walkability with dense neighborhood amenities and local parks situated along the Passaic River
Strategic geographic location within Passaic County providing rapid access to major highways like Route 21 and the Garden State Parkway
Drawbacks
Median household income of $55,371 lags behind the broader New Jersey state and county averages
High population density creates persistent challenges regarding street parking, traffic congestion, and limited open space
Local poverty rate of approximately 22.9% presents ongoing socio-economic hurdles for municipal services
Aged housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization investments for property owners
Proximity to major industrial corridors contributes to local environmental and air quality management challenges
Brick
Advantages
Proximity to Jersey Shore beaches such as Point Pleasant and Mantoloking
Extensive waterfront access with boating and lagoon living along the Metedeconk River
Violent and property crime rates significantly below the US national average
Presence of Ocean Medical Center providing top-tier local healthcare access
High rate of homeownership and established suburban neighborhoods
Drawbacks
High property taxes typical of the New Jersey suburban market
Significant car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town
Seasonal traffic congestion along Route 70 and Route 88 during summer months
Rising housing costs and competitive rental market driven by coastal demand
Vulnerability to coastal storms and flooding in low-lying waterfront zones
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Passaic
#560New Jersey, USA
47.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,125
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.35%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
71
Business
67
Brick
#365New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
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