What is a good salary for family of 4 in New Jersey?

Answer 1

I think living in NJ a family of 4 needs to at least make 150 thousand as of midyear 2012. First, taxes tend to be high in the metro area. Rents are high too. Then, auto insurance is high because people don't know how to drive (sorry, heavy traffic is part of the problem, how people drive is the larger part of the problem). Upkeep on a house that an owner cannot perform on their own (repairs that need to be done by contractors or other pros) can run into thousands of dollars. Some schools now make parents pay for a child's participation in sports. And companies continue to cut back on salaries, bonuses and so on (except for executives and management committees folks who are the only ones companies reward anymore). My spouse and I never made 150K, but we purchased our home many years ago and our small mortgage is almost paid off. We both went to college, but never lucked out on high paid jobs. You can live on less money, but not well in my opinion. I'm sorry if I sound bitter, but I believe I am realistic.

Answer 2

It is very high.