Median rent is 6% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $1,902/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jersey City, where the median home runs $534,500 versus $751,700. Households earn more in Jersey City ($94,813 vs $79,713 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (113.0).
City A
Jersey City, NJ
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Jersey City, NJ?
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
New York
New York
👥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 rent is modestly lower in New York at $1,779/mo compared to $1,902/mo in Jersey City (6% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $534,500 in Jersey City — 29% 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 10.90% in New York, so Jersey City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.63% in New Jersey and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Jersey City
Income tax: 10.75%
Sales tax: 6.63%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Both cities have similar air quality: Jersey City averages 61.0 AQI (Moderate) and New York averages 61.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize higher median household income ($94,813/yr).
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.75%).
Is Jersey City cheaper than New York?
Jersey City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.0 versus 113.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Jersey City.
How much is rent in Jersey City vs New York?
Median rent is $1,902/mo in Jersey City, NJ and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Jersey City or New York?
Median household income is $94,813 in Jersey City, NJ and $79,713 in New York, NY. 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?
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 61.0 AQI versus 61.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Jersey City or New York?
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% and New York's is 10.90%. Jersey City, NJ has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York 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 $100,000 in New York, NY (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