Cost to Own
United States › New Jersey › Somerset County › North Plainfield Population 22,667 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $1,444 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Somerset County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in North Plainfield, New Jersey

A $351,000 home here costs

$3,357

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $144,000 a year.

P&I 57%Tax 25%Insurance 3%Utilities 7%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,914. The real number is $1,444 higher every month, 75% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Somerset County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

North Plainfield median: $350,700
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
NJ average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $280,800 borrowed $1,914
Property tax2.852% effective rate for North Plainfield itself $834
Homeowners insuranceNew Jersey averages $1,309/yr (NAIC), or 0.294% of home value $86
Electricity24.61ยข/kWh, New Jersey residential average, EIA $163
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $293
Total monthly $3,357

North Plainfield against Somerset County and New Jersey

MeasureNorth PlainfieldSomerset County
Median home value$350,700$523,900
Median property tax$10,001$10,001
Effective tax rate2.852%1.909%
Median gross rent$1,651$1,921
Population22,667346,203

The weather behind that power bill

North Plainfield sits in Somerset County, which averages a high of 86.2°F in its hottest month and a low of 20.6°F in its coldest, with 45.49" of precipitation a year and 32% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 859 cooling and 5,385 heating degree days, which is what sets the $163 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Somerset County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Somerset County

Full Somerset County cost breakdown · Every county in New Jersey

Talk to someone who works this market

These are North Plainfield averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works North Plainfield every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in North Plainfield I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in North Plainfield?

A $351,000 home in North Plainfield, New Jersey costs approximately $3,357 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,914 principal and interest, $834 property tax, $86 homeowners insurance, $231 utilities and $293 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in North Plainfield?

North Plainfield has an effective property tax rate of 2.852%, based on a median home value of $350,700 and median real estate taxes of $10,001. That is higher than the Somerset County average of 1.909%.

What is the average home price in North Plainfield?

The median owner-occupied home value in North Plainfield, New Jersey is $350,700, against $523,900 across Somerset County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in North Plainfield?

Median gross rent in North Plainfield is $1,651 a month, against $3,357 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in North Plainfield?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in North Plainfield, New Jersey at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $144,000 a year. That covers the full $3,357 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for North Plainfield, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for New Jersey.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology