Median rent is 22% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $2,007/mo). Buying is cheaper in Raleigh, where the median home runs $415,800 versus $566,900. Households earn more in Jersey City ($97,710 vs $85,395 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 112.6 — about 13% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 112.6 in Jersey City (US national average = 100)
City A
Jersey City, NJ
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from Jersey City, NJ?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$65,486
You could earn $9,514 less (13% lower) and break even.
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
Raleigh
North Carolina
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Raleigh — median rent of $1,572/mo versus $2,007/mo in Jersey City, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Jersey City: the median home is $566,900 versus $415,800 in Raleigh — 27% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Jersey City averages 46.0 AQI (Good) and Raleigh averages 47.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.4 vs 112.6).
Pick Jersey City if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,710/yr).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,572/mo median).
Is Jersey City cheaper than Raleigh?
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Raleigh.
How much is rent in Jersey City vs Raleigh?
Median rent is $2,007/mo in Jersey City, NJ and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — Jersey City or Raleigh?
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City, NJ and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. 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: 46.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Jersey City or Raleigh?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Raleigh 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 $87,314 in Raleigh, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
