Scott Lieberman is a Bergenfield, NJ resident and frequent contributor to news in the area. In the following article, Scott Lieberman discusses the cost of living in this community, why people enjoy living here, and why the cost of living is just slightly higher than in surrounding communities.
The borough of Bergenfield, NJ has substantially higher real estate prices than other parts of the state, as well as higher taxes and costs of living. Despite (or perhaps because of) these increased prices, the town has a robust school system and an overall high safety rating. Scott Lieberman says that it is an excellent place to raise a family.
But how much will it cost someone to move to Bergenfield, NJ? Is it still a safe place to live? Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ discusses more on this below.
The Cost
Cutting straight to the point, Scott Lieberman reports that the average person pays $46,021 a year to live in Bergenfield. That is significantly higher than other parts of New Jersey, and higher than the national average of $38,433. Taxes are almost 13% higher than in other parts of the state.
The cost of housing in Bergenfield is also substantially higher than it is elsewhere. The national median home value for most of the United States is $204,900; in Bergenfield, the median home value is $348,800. That is a massive 52% difference!
Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ explains the several reasons that people choose to live in this area:
Why Bergenfield
Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ clarifies that many of these reasons boil down to family and security. Bergenfield is known for its excellent school system, low crime rate, and safe, suburban feel.
The best reason for a family to move to Bergenfield, NJ is its highly rated public school system. There are several private and public schools to choose from, and while some schools shine above the others, the district as a whole has a stellar reputation.
Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ says that it is also one of the more liberal and diverse towns in New Jersey. According to DataUSA, the largest ethnic groups are White (37.1%), Asian (26.2%), and White Hispanic (18.1%). Most demographics are represented in Bergenfield.
Finally, Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ says that the area is considered to be one of the safest towns in the United States. Although its rank dropped from the 2nd safest town to the 4th safest in 2019, it is often one of the top ten safest cities in the entire country.
According to Niche.com, Bergenfield residents say it is a great place to raise a family. It has a suburban feel despite boroughs being different from most suburbs.
Why Is It Expensive
Above, Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ explained why the taxes and housing prices are both higher in Bergenfield, New Jersey. The school system and low crime rate also serve to explain some of the extra charges. However, other costs make Bergenfield expensive as well.
It is relatively expensive to live in the area due to a multitude of things being a little more expensive than elsewhere. For example, the cost of childcare (for two children) is $20,391, versus the average of $18,864 across the rest of New Jersey, a difference of roughly 8%.
Similar metrics appear across other areas. Healthcare and food are also pricier than in other parts of the state.
Interestingly though, transportation costs are less than those from elsewhere in the country. Scott Lieberman of Bergenfield, NJ reports that the average Bergenfield resident spends $8,105 a year versus $9,760 elsewhere. More people also take public transportation to work there than the statewide average.
This large quantity of relatively small price differences make Bergenfield, NJ expensive to live in. Nonetheless, many parents see the school system and low crime rate as a worthy trade-off for the price. Commuting is also relatively easy in Bergenfield.
Conclusion
Bergenfield, New Jersey is one of the safest cities in the United States and has an excellent school system. This makes it an ideal place to raise a family. However, people pay for that safety and education with higher taxes and a higher cost of living overall. For some, the safety and schooling may still be worth it.
