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 Pennsylvania Cost of Living
Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living by 22.6 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Pennsylvania is lower
22.6 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in New Jersey is roughly $80,976 in Pennsylvania.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Pennsylvania
96.2
composite · rank #25
- Housing
- 84.1
- Grocery
- 99
- Utilities
- 108.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 109.1 | 99 | Pennsylvania |
| Housing | 144.3 | 84.1 | Pennsylvania |
| Utilities | 110.3 | 108.4 | Pennsylvania |
| Transportation | 103.8 | 104.2 | New Jersey |
| Health care | 115.8 | 95.1 | Pennsylvania |
| Misc. goods & services | 107 | 100.5 | Pennsylvania |
Grocery
New Jersey109.1
Pennsylvania99
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Housing
New Jersey144.3
Pennsylvania84.1
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Utilities
New Jersey110.3
Pennsylvania108.4
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Transportation
New Jersey103.8
Pennsylvania104.2
Lower cost: New Jersey
Health care
New Jersey115.8
Pennsylvania95.1
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Misc. goods & services
New Jersey107
Pennsylvania100.5
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Pennsylvania | Needed in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,488 | $61,746 |
| $75,000 | $60,732 | $92,620 |
| $100,000 | $80,976 | $123,493 |
| $150,000 | $121,465 | $185,239 |
| $250,000 | $202,441 | $308,732 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$40,488
In New Jersey$61,746
$75,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$60,732
In New Jersey$92,620
$100,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$80,976
In New Jersey$123,493
$150,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$121,465
In New Jersey$185,239
Housing gap
New Jersey housing is 144.3; Pennsylvania is 84.1.
Salary planning
$100,000 in New Jersey is roughly $80,976 in Pennsylvania.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
New Jersey vs Pennsylvania cost of living FAQs
Pennsylvania has the lower cost of living by 22.6 index points. The composite indexes are 118.8 in New Jersey and 96.2 in Pennsylvania (US average = 100).
About $80,976 in Pennsylvania would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New Jersey, based on the composite indexes.
About $123,493 in New Jersey would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Pennsylvania.
Housing indexes are 144.3 in New Jersey and 84.1 in Pennsylvania. 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.
Pennsylvania 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.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.