Seaside Heights, NJ, is a vibrant coastal town known for its beaches and boardwalk. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for potential residents and visitors alike.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $30 on average, with a range between $17 and $55.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $130, with prices ranging from $80 to $250.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $12, with a range between $11 and $15.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $6 to $11, imported beer $8 to $14, cappuccino $4.5 to $8, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1 and $2.11 per liter, averaging $1.54.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $3.31 and $11.02, with an average price of $4.84.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.29 to $9, averaging $5.24.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.2 to $11.02 per kg, while oranges range from $2 to $11 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.1 and $6.61 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.09 to $5.3 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.86 and $1.29 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.5, with a cost of $1.55 to $3.26 per km and $30 to $45 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $25,000 and $36,344.69, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $25,546.72 to $38,999.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for private preschool is between $2,500 and $4,500 monthly, averaging $3,268.96.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly tuition for international primary school ranges from $50,000 to $65,000, averaging $59,000.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $300, averaging $178.19.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $50 to $90, with an average cost of $67.21.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

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Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$30.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$130.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$12.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.82
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.54
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$4.84
Eggs (regular) (12)
$5.24
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.04
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$20.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.75
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$17.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.04
Apples (1kg)
$7.16
Oranges (1kg)
$5.88
Potato (1kg)
$3.82
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.18
Rice (white), (1kg)
$7.53
Tomato (1kg)
$5.95
Banana (1kg)
$2.28
Onion (1kg)
$3.66
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$19.23
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$35,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.17
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$28,848.79
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$178.19
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$67.21
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$66.49
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$20.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.63
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$45.62
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$108.52
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$166.26
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.66%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$3,268.96
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$59,000.00
Seaside Heights Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Seaside Heights offers a diverse range of dining options, from casual meals to upscale dining, with prices reflecting its coastal location.

Grocery prices vary significantly, with some items like bread and eggs showing a wide price range.

Transportation costs are moderate, with gasoline prices being relatively stable and taxi fares offering flexibility for short distances.

Housing and education costs are on the higher side, reflecting the area's desirability and amenities.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, contributing to a balanced monthly budget.

Conclusion

The cost of living in Seaside Heights, NJ, is influenced by its status as a popular coastal destination.

While some expenses like dining and housing can be high, careful budgeting can help manage costs effectively.

Overall, Seaside Heights offers a vibrant lifestyle with a mix of affordability and luxury, making it an attractive place for both residents and visitors.