Median rent is 4% lower in Los Angeles ($1,933/mo vs $2,007/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jersey City, where the median home runs $566,900 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Jersey City ($97,710 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Jersey City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.6 against 114.7 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Jersey City, NJ.
Cost of living verdict
Jersey City is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 112.6 in Jersey City vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Jersey City, NJ
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Jersey City, NJ?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$76,401
You'd need $1,401 more (2% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Jersey City
New Jersey
Los Angeles
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $2,007/mo in Jersey City and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $566,900 in Jersey City — 38% more expensive.
Metric
Jersey City
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Jersey City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 46.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,710/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Jersey City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.6 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Jersey City.
Median rent is $2,007/mo in Jersey City, NJ and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 4%.
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City, NJ and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Jersey City, NJ has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 46.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Jersey City, NJ is equivalent to roughly $101,868 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
