salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 99% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 42.6 minutes each way. Most homes (86.5%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 92.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $136,920 a year. That is $66 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Jersey cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Jersey. It is number 268 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Short Hills?
Share of households by yearly income. 88.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Short Hills
| Size | Short Hills | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,334 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,477 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Short Hills overall?
Everyday prices in New Jersey overall are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Short Hills, so the New Jersey figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Short Hills
Life in Short Hills
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Short Hills?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $8,193 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,674,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $167,410 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Short Hills, NJ?
Renting in Short Hills costs a median of about $3,423 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Short Hills?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $136,920 a year, or $66 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Short Hills cheap or expensive?
Short Hills is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.4% of the typical household income of $250,000+. It ranks 268th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Short Hills?
The median homeowner in Short Hills pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.60% of the median home value.
Is Short Hills more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Jersey are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Short Hills?
The median home value in Short Hills is $1,674,100, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
14,923 people live in Short Hills. Numbers are typical (middle) values.