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 Maryland Cost of Living
New Jersey has the lower cost of living by 2.3 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
New Jersey is lower
2.3 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Maryland is roughly $98,101 in New Jersey.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Maryland
121.1
composite · rank #45
- Housing
- 149.1
- Grocery
- 109.3
- Utilities
- 113.2
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | New Jersey | Maryland | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 109.1 | 109.3 | New Jersey |
| Housing | 144.3 | 149.1 | New Jersey |
| Utilities | 110.3 | 113.2 | New Jersey |
| Transportation | 103.8 | 106.3 | New Jersey |
| Health care | 115.8 | 106.9 | Maryland |
| Misc. goods & services | 107 | 109.5 | New Jersey |
Grocery
New Jersey109.1
Maryland109.3
Lower cost: New Jersey
Housing
New Jersey144.3
Maryland149.1
Lower cost: New Jersey
Utilities
New Jersey110.3
Maryland113.2
Lower cost: New Jersey
Transportation
New Jersey103.8
Maryland106.3
Lower cost: New Jersey
Health care
New Jersey115.8
Maryland106.9
Lower cost: Maryland
Misc. goods & services
New Jersey107
Maryland109.5
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 Maryland | Needed in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,968 | $49,050 |
| $75,000 | $76,452 | $73,576 |
| $100,000 | $101,936 | $98,101 |
| $150,000 | $152,904 | $147,151 |
| $250,000 | $254,840 | $245,252 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Maryland$50,968
In New Jersey$49,050
$75,000 origin salary
In Maryland$76,452
In New Jersey$73,576
$100,000 origin salary
In Maryland$101,936
In New Jersey$98,101
$150,000 origin salary
In Maryland$152,904
In New Jersey$147,151
Housing gap
New Jersey housing is 144.3; Maryland is 149.1.
Salary planning
$100,000 in New Jersey is roughly $101,936 in Maryland.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
New Jersey vs Maryland cost of living FAQs
New Jersey has the lower cost of living by 2.3 index points. The composite indexes are 118.8 in New Jersey and 121.1 in Maryland (US average = 100).
About $101,936 in Maryland would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New Jersey, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,101 in New Jersey would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Maryland.
Housing indexes are 144.3 in New Jersey and 149.1 in Maryland. 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.
New Jersey 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.