What it actually costs to live in
Essex County, NJ.
Living wage breakdown for Essex County, New Jersey — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $22.93 | $47,693 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $34.80 | $72,386 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $45.91 | $95,494 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $56.79 | $118,133 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $29.77 | $61,931 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $41.99 | $87,348 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $52.73 | $109,684 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $63.24 | $131,536 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $17,342 | $1,445 |
| Food | $5,441 | $453 |
| Medical | $4,210 | $351 |
| Transportation | $6,294 | $525 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,572 | $214 |
| Personal & Misc | $3,249 | $271 |
| Taxes | $8,585 | $715 |
| Total | $47,693 | $3,974 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$22.93/hr
Minimum wage$15.49/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Essex County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.