Hoboken Is Most Expensive City To Live In NJ: What To Do?

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Hoboken is the most expensive city in New Jersey in which to live, according to a recent study that looked at property costs, child care costs, food, average income, and transportation.

While the survey only looked at cities — not suburbs — the findings suggest that Hoboken and Jersey City, which took the no. 3 spot, may need more ways to keep its longtime residents from being priced out.

"So many factors contribute to an area's affordability, and there is much to consider when moving or buying a house," a spokesperson for The Robert Dekanski Team said. "Knowing which factors will affect you the most is imperative if you plan on relocating."

Hoboken scored lowest on the index, making it the most expensive city in the Garden State to live in. With a score of 46.45, the monthly cost for housing in Hoboken is $1,765 per person and the median price to buy property is $969,000. Monthly taxes per person also received a low score. Jersey City, at third on the list, has a score of 47.3.

Jersey City Helps Artists, Others

Jersey City has offered some ways to take the sting out of rising costs for families and for professions such as non-profits and the creative arts.

That city just announced $1 million in grants for individual creators and arts groups. Awardees are chosen by an independent body, so political factors are removed from the choices.

Some of the grants benefit the local community as well as the artist — as they're for arts education, allowing awardees to teach residents about their creative field.

Jersey City just opened a new round of applications in March to provide "residents of Jersey City who are exploring a career in the arts with an unrestricted grant to support and supplement their creative output over the year."

Hoboken was planning a meeting about three public art proposals on Wednesday — including a $500,000 sculpture — but only one, a $11,000 mural, is designed by a Hoboken resident. The $500,000 sculpture comes from a Dutch artist.

Help For Families

In summer, when public schools are out, day care and camp costs can rise, putting a burden on families.

Most cities offer programs through their recreation departments to help, with some on a sliding scale.

Jersey City has offered a variety of free and sliding-scale summer recreation programs for young children and teens, ranging from boxing, golf, homework, softball clinics, and swim camp.

They also offer a day camp for kids 7-14. Two years ago, the camp was free, but last year, the price went up to $100 for the duration, spurring some complaints. However, the camp has discounts for moderate and low-income families. The price remained the same this year for early birds.

Of cost, the most expensive item in a resident's budget is usually housing: rents, taxes, mortgage.

Both cities have been dealing with issues surrounding rent control and how it's enforced. Both cities have offered free counsel in the form of tenant lawyers to those who need help.

Hoboken has also approved new affordable public housing, although construction is years away.

One local artist suggested that towns have to do more to help keep a mix of incomes in town, noting that most homes in her immediate area have been sold to developers.

"Almost every artist I know in Jersey City has left in the last five years," she said. "This is not a good place for artists at all. I think all of Hudson County is much too expensive, although Hoboken is by far the worst."

She said it reminded her of a once-artsy town in New York State that has changed drastically. "You had people who lived there year round and were librarians and teachers and nurses ... Now all of them have been pushed out."

For those struggling the most, both cities have ramped up their social services outreach.

Hoboken has an active and well publicized food pantry that also gives away toiletries and pet supplies to anyone in need. The city has also hired two social workers to help those who are homeless, and the public library offers social services and emergency supplies as well.

Jersey City on Wednesday announced programs for several groups in need, including two new programs for veterans: Pets for Vets and Veterans in Total Active Lifestyle (VITAL).

What else should both towns do to avoid pricing longtime residents out? Let Patch know.

Other Towns On List

Proximity to Manhattan drives costs up in local towns, but ability to use public transportation theoretically would help bring costs down. The survey indicates that it may not be enough. Also on the "most expensive city" list were two other Hudson County towns: Union City at. no. 6, North Bergen at 10. Bayonne barely missed the list at 11.

Read more about the survey here.