City Comparison
Passaic vs Toms River
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Toms River
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Passaic is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Passaic's average rent is
24% lower than Toms River's.
| Metric | Passaic | Toms River | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $2,800 | -24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $190 | -5% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $260 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $3,840 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 115 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toms River offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toms River 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 Toms River.
| Metric | Passaic | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 62,609 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $99,547 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 41.30 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 13.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 243 |
| 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 | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toms River is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Passaic.
From a growth perspective, Toms River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Toms River has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Passaic | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 101,621 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.72% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 4.30% |
| 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
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.
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
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
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