City Comparison
Old Bridge vs Toms River
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Old Bridge
Toms River
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Old Bridge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Old Bridge's average rent is
18% lower than Toms River's.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Toms River | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,287 | $2,800 | -18% |
| Groceries | $460 | $460 | 0% |
| Utilities | $195 | $190 | +3% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $260 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,312 | $3,840 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 115 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Old Bridge offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Old Bridge delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Old Bridge is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Toms River.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,903 idx | 62,609 idx |
| Household Income | $104,587 | $99,547 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Old Bridge comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Old Bridge sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.10°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.70°F | 82.00°F |
| Winter Low | 25.10°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 40.50 in | 41.30 in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | 13.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 243 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toms River has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Old Bridge.
Old Bridge scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toms River is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Old Bridge.
From a growth perspective, Toms River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Old Bridge has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Old Bridge | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,634 | 101,621 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 0.72% |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Old Bridge
Advantages
Median homeownership rate stands at a robust 73.9% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Cheesequake State Park provides expansive local outdoor recreation and green space.
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average.
Strategic location along major transit corridors like Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway.
High median household income reflecting a strong local professional demographic.
Drawbacks
Average one-way commute times exceed 33 minutes due to regional traffic congestion.
Overall cost of living and property taxes are notably higher than the national average.
High reliance on personal vehicles with limited internal public transit walkability.
Competitive housing market with limited rental inventory driving up average rents.
High exposure to regional traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Old Bridge
#366New Jersey, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,287
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
55.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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
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