Cost of living in Union NJ: what buyers and sellers should know

By Jennifer Mota

October 25, 2026 · 5 min read

If you are weighing a move to Union Township, understanding the real cost of living in Union, New Jersey helps you budget before you even start touring homes. This guide breaks down housing, property taxes, utilities, and commuting costs so you know what to expect month to month.

Cost of Living in Union, NJ: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

1. What Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Union?

Housing is the single biggest piece of the cost of living in Union, New Jersey, and it shapes nearly every other budget decision a buyer makes. Union Township sits in Union County, about 12 miles west of Manhattan, and its housing stock ranges from post-war Cape Cods and split-levels in neighborhoods like Putnam Manor to larger colonials near Union High School and newer townhome developments near Route 22.

Home prices across most U.S. metro areas have continued to climb as of October 2026, and buyers should pull recent comparable sales for the specific Union street or block they are considering rather than relying on countywide averages. The National Association of Realtors reports that home prices rose in a large majority of metro areas nationwide, which is a useful reminder to check local data before assuming what a home will sell for in the current market.

Ask about days on market, how many offers a comparable home received, and whether it sold above or below the list price. Jennifer Mota can pull recent closed sales in Union neighborhoods like Four Corners, Vauxhall, and Stuyvesant so you are working from current October 2026 numbers, not assumptions.

Closing Costs and Upfront Expenses

Buyers in New Jersey typically pay closing costs separate from the purchase price. These include attorney fees, title insurance, a home inspection, appraisal, and a mortgage recording fee, plus New Jersey's realty transfer fee, which is paid by the seller but factors into negotiations. Set aside time to shop mortgage rates, since even a small difference affects your monthly payment over the life of the loan.

2. Property Taxes in Union Township

Property taxes are one of the biggest ongoing costs for homeowners in Union and should be confirmed for each specific address before you make an offer. Union County is known for property tax rates that run higher than the national average, a pattern common across much of northern and central New Jersey. The exact bill depends on the home's assessed value and the local tax rate set each year by the township and school district.

Rather than relying on a rule of thumb, pull the actual tax record for any home you are considering through the Union Township tax assessor's office. This gives you the current annual tax bill, not an estimate, and lets you compare it against your total monthly housing budget alongside principal, interest, and insurance.

Assessed value: found on the property record card at the Union Township Tax Assessor's office.
Tax rate: set annually and applied per $100 of assessed value; it changes year to year.
Appeals: homeowners can file a tax appeal with Union County if they believe an assessment is inaccurate.

Escrow: most lenders roll property taxes into your monthly mortgage payment through an escrow account.

3. Utilities, Groceries, and Everyday Expenses

Everyday expenses in Union follow typical northern New Jersey patterns, with utility costs tied to home size and age. Electric and gas service in Union is provided by PSE&G, and bills vary with the season, running higher in the winter months for homes with older heating systems and in the summer for central air use.

Water and sewer service is billed by Union Township, and homeowners should budget for trash and recycling pickup, which is included in municipal services. For groceries and daily shopping, residents have options including the Stop & Shop and ShopRite locations along Route 22 and Morris Avenue, plus smaller markets throughout the township's residential sections.

Dining, Recreation, and Local Amenities

Union offers a mix of casual dining along Morris Avenue and Stuyvesant Avenue, along with retail centers near the Route 22 corridor including Union Square shopping center. For recreation, Union residents have access to Kawameeh Park, Putnam Field, and the walking paths at Nomahegan Park, which sits partly in Union and partly in Cranford. Kean University, located in Union, also adds cultural events and programming open to the public throughout the year.

4. Commuting Costs From Union to NYC and Beyond

Commuting costs depend heavily on whether you drive or take mass transit, and Union offers both options. NJ Transit bus routes run from Union into Newark and Manhattan's Port Authority terminal, and residents can also drive to the Union or Roselle Park train stations on the Raritan Valley Line for service into Newark Penn Station with a transfer to New York Penn Station.

Drivers in Union have quick access to Route 22, the Garden State Parkway, and Interstate 78, putting Newark Liberty International Airport roughly 15 minutes away and Midtown Manhattan around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and tunnel congestion. Factor in monthly parking, tolls for the Garden State Parkway, and gas prices when comparing a car-based commute against the cost of a monthly NJ Transit pass.

NJ Transit bus: direct routes to Newark and Port Authority in Manhattan from stops throughout Union.
Raritan Valley Line rail: nearby stations in Union and Roselle Park connect to Newark Penn Station.
Driving: Route 22, I-78, and the Garden State Parkway all run through or near Union Township.
Airport access: Newark Liberty International Airport is about 15 minutes away by car.

5. How Union Compares to Nearby Towns

The best way to compare Union's cost of living to neighboring towns like Springfield, Maplewood, or Roselle Park is to look at current October 2026 listing prices, tax rates, and commute times for each, not general reputation. Housing stock, lot sizes, and proximity to transit all vary block by block, so a side-by-side comparison of current listings gives a clearer picture than broad statements about any single town.

National housing affordability data, such as the figures tracked by the National Association of Realtors' housing affordability and supply research, can offer useful context on regional affordability trends, but local figures from Union County tax and MLS records as of October 2026 will always be more accurate for a specific property.

If you are relocating from outside New Jersey, it also helps to compare Union against your current area using a cost of living calculator, then verify the housing portion against real local listings. Jennifer Mota works with relocating buyers regularly and can walk through specific streets, school district boundaries, and commute routes so you can make an informed comparison before you move.

FAQ

Is Union, New Jersey expensive to live in?

Costs in Union vary a lot depending on the home, street, and lot size, so it helps to look at specific numbers rather than a single average. Property taxes tend to be a larger line item than in many other states, and buyers should always confirm the current tax bill for a specific address through the Union Township tax assessor. Housing prices as of October 2026 should be checked against recent comparable sales rather than assumptions, since NAR data shows prices have moved upward in most U.S. metro areas. Jennifer Mota can pull current listing and sold data for any part of Union you're considering.

What are property taxes like in Union Township?

Property taxes in Union are based on the home's assessed value and the combined municipal and school tax rate, which is set annually. Union County generally has higher property tax bills than the national average, a pattern shared across much of northern and central New Jersey. The only way to know the exact cost for a specific home is to pull its current tax record from the Union Township tax assessor's office. Homeowners who believe their assessment is too high can file an appeal through Union County.

How long is the commute from Union to New York City?

Commute times from Union depend on the mode of transportation and time of day. NJ Transit buses run directly to Port Authority in Manhattan, and residents can also drive to the Union or Roselle Park train stations for Raritan Valley Line service into Newark Penn Station with a transfer to New York Penn Station. Driving directly into Midtown Manhattan typically takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on tunnel traffic. Checking current NJ Transit schedules and fares directly is the most reliable way to budget a daily commute.