Median rent is 1% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $1,902/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jersey City, where the median home runs $534,500 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Jersey City ($94,813 vs $80,366 a year). Taken together, Jersey City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 113.0 against 113.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Jersey City, NJ.
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
$75,213
You'd need $213 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,902/mo in Jersey City and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $534,500 in Jersey City — 39% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% versus 13.30% in California, so Jersey City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.63% in New Jersey and 7.25% in California; Jersey City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Jersey City
Income tax: 10.75%
Sales tax: 6.63%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Jersey City has cleaner air on average: 61.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize higher median household income ($94,813/yr).
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 61.0).
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.75%).
Is Jersey City cheaper than Los Angeles?
Jersey City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.0 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Jersey City.
How much is rent in Jersey City vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,902/mo in Jersey City, NJ and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Jersey City or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $94,813 in Jersey City, NJ and $80,366 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.
Which city has better air quality?
Jersey City, NJ has better air quality on average: 61.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Jersey City or Los Angeles?
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% and California's is 13.30%. Jersey City, NJ has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Jersey City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Jersey City, NJ is equivalent to roughly $100,284 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology