Median rent is 9% lower in New York ($1,821/mo vs $2,007/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jersey City, where the median home runs $566,900 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Jersey City ($97,710 vs $80,483 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (112.6).
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 metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in New York at $1,821/mo compared to $2,007/mo in Jersey City (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $566,900 in Jersey City — 27% more expensive.
Metric
Jersey City
New York
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
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Jersey City averages 46.0 AQI (Good) and New York averages 46.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,710/yr).
Jersey City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.6 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Jersey City.
Median rent is $2,007/mo in Jersey City, NJ and $1,821/mo in New York, NY. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 9%.
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City, NJ and $80,483 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.
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 46.0 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 $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: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
