New York
124.7
composite · rank #46
- Housing
- 172.3
- Grocery
- 100.3
- Utilities
- 102.2
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026New York vs New Jersey Cost of Living
New Jersey has the lower cost of living by 5.9 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
5.9 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in New York is roughly $95,269 in New Jersey.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
New Jersey
118.8
composite · rank #44
- Housing
- 144.3
- Grocery
- 109.1
- Utilities
- 110.3
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | New York | New Jersey | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 100.3 | 109.1 | New York |
| Housing | 172.3 | 144.3 | New Jersey |
| Utilities | 102.2 | 110.3 | New York |
| Transportation | 111.5 | 103.8 | New Jersey |
| Health care | 108.9 | 115.8 | New York |
| Misc. goods & services | 104.9 | 107 | New York |
Grocery
New York100.3
New Jersey109.1
Lower cost: New York
Housing
New York172.3
New Jersey144.3
Lower cost: New Jersey
Utilities
New York102.2
New Jersey110.3
Lower cost: New York
Transportation
New York111.5
New Jersey103.8
Lower cost: New Jersey
Health care
New York108.9
New Jersey115.8
Lower cost: New York
Misc. goods & services
New York104.9
New Jersey107
Lower cost: New York
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in New Jersey | Needed in New York |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $47,634 | $52,483 |
| $75,000 | $71,451 | $78,725 |
| $100,000 | $95,269 | $104,966 |
| $150,000 | $142,903 | $157,449 |
| $250,000 | $238,172 | $262,416 |
$50,000 origin salary
In New Jersey$47,634
In New York$52,483
$75,000 origin salary
In New Jersey$71,451
In New York$78,725
$100,000 origin salary
In New Jersey$95,269
In New York$104,966
$150,000 origin salary
In New Jersey$142,903
In New York$157,449
Housing gap
New York housing is 172.3; New Jersey is 144.3.
Salary planning
$100,000 in New York is roughly $95,269 in New Jersey.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
New York vs New Jersey cost of living FAQs
New Jersey has the lower cost of living by 5.9 index points. The composite indexes are 124.7 in New York and 118.8 in New Jersey (US average = 100).
About $95,269 in New Jersey would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New York, based on the composite indexes.
About $104,966 in New York would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New Jersey.
Housing indexes are 172.3 in New York and 144.3 in New Jersey. 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.