City Comparison
Passaic vs Old Bridge
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Old Bridge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Old Bridge
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Passaic is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Old Bridge.
| Metric | Passaic | Old Bridge | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $2,287 | -7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $3,312 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Old Bridge offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Old Bridge 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 Old Bridge.
| Metric | Passaic | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 62,903 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $104,587 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 5.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 55.10°F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 25.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 40.50 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 15.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 254 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Passaic is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Old Bridge is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Old Bridge has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Passaic | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 70,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.58% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.3 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 4.10% |
| 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
Old Bridge
Advantages
Median homeownership rate stands at a robust 73.9% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Cheesequake State Park provides expansive local outdoor recreation and green space.
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average.
Strategic location along major transit corridors like Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway.
High median household income reflecting a strong local professional demographic.
Drawbacks
Average one-way commute times exceed 33 minutes due to regional traffic congestion.
Overall cost of living and property taxes are notably higher than the national average.
High reliance on personal vehicles with limited internal public transit walkability.
Competitive housing market with limited rental inventory driving up average rents.
High exposure to regional traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours.
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
Old Bridge
#366New Jersey, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,287
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
55.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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