City Comparison
Toms River vs Brick
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Toms River
Brick
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brick is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toms River's average rent is
30% higher than Brick's.
| Metric | Toms River | Brick | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $2,150 | +30% |
| Groceries | $460 | $460 | 0% |
| Utilities | $190 | $195 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $140 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $230 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,840 | $3,175 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toms River offers 6% higher 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 Toms River is estimated at
$65,000 vs $62,000 in Brick.
| Metric | Toms River | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,609 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $99,547 | $94,850 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Brick sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Toms River | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | 81.90°F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 13.60 in | 15.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | 244 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Toms River scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toms River leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toms River | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toms River is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Brick.
From a growth perspective, Toms River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brick has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toms River | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,621 | 73,620 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Brick
Advantages
Proximity to Jersey Shore beaches such as Point Pleasant and Mantoloking
Extensive waterfront access with boating and lagoon living along the Metedeconk River
Violent and property crime rates significantly below the US national average
Presence of Ocean Medical Center providing top-tier local healthcare access
High rate of homeownership and established suburban neighborhoods
Drawbacks
High property taxes typical of the New Jersey suburban market
Significant car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town
Seasonal traffic congestion along Route 70 and Route 88 during summer months
Rising housing costs and competitive rental market driven by coastal demand
Vulnerability to coastal storms and flooding in low-lying waterfront zones
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Brick
#365New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
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