New Jersey
118.8
composite · rank #44
- Housing
- 144.3
- Grocery
- 109.1
- Utilities
- 110.3
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026New Jersey vs Connecticut Cost of Living
Connecticut has the lower cost of living by 4.6 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Connecticut is lower
4.6 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in New Jersey is roughly $96,128 in Connecticut.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Connecticut
114.2
composite · rank #41
- Housing
- 123.5
- Grocery
- 106
- Utilities
- 126.5
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | New Jersey | Connecticut | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 109.1 | 106 | Connecticut |
| Housing | 144.3 | 123.5 | Connecticut |
| Utilities | 110.3 | 126.5 | New Jersey |
| Transportation | 103.8 | 105.6 | New Jersey |
| Health care | 115.8 | 108.9 | Connecticut |
| Misc. goods & services | 107 | 109.6 | New Jersey |
Grocery
New Jersey109.1
Connecticut106
Lower cost: Connecticut
Housing
New Jersey144.3
Connecticut123.5
Lower cost: Connecticut
Utilities
New Jersey110.3
Connecticut126.5
Lower cost: New Jersey
Transportation
New Jersey103.8
Connecticut105.6
Lower cost: New Jersey
Health care
New Jersey115.8
Connecticut108.9
Lower cost: Connecticut
Misc. goods & services
New Jersey107
Connecticut109.6
Lower cost: New Jersey
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Connecticut | Needed in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $48,064 | $52,014 |
| $75,000 | $72,096 | $78,021 |
| $100,000 | $96,128 | $104,028 |
| $150,000 | $144,192 | $156,042 |
| $250,000 | $240,320 | $260,070 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Connecticut$48,064
In New Jersey$52,014
$75,000 origin salary
In Connecticut$72,096
In New Jersey$78,021
$100,000 origin salary
In Connecticut$96,128
In New Jersey$104,028
$150,000 origin salary
In Connecticut$144,192
In New Jersey$156,042
Housing gap
New Jersey housing is 144.3; Connecticut is 123.5.
Salary planning
$100,000 in New Jersey is roughly $96,128 in Connecticut.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
New Jersey vs Connecticut cost of living FAQs
Connecticut has the lower cost of living by 4.6 index points. The composite indexes are 118.8 in New Jersey and 114.2 in Connecticut (US average = 100).
About $96,128 in Connecticut would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New Jersey, based on the composite indexes.
About $104,028 in New Jersey would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Connecticut.
Housing indexes are 144.3 in New Jersey and 123.5 in Connecticut. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Connecticut has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.