City Comparison
Passaic vs Edison
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Edison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Passaic is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Edison.
| Metric | Passaic | Edison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $2,200 | -3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $480 | -13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $185 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $3,235 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 29% 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 Passaic is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Edison.
| Metric | Passaic | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $82,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 66,129 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 4.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 55.00°F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 24.90°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 41.30 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 16.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 250 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edison is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Passaic.
From a growth perspective, Edison 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 | Passaic | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 107,585 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 41.5 |
| 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
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.
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
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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