Cost of Living in New Jersey (NJ)
Compare costs across 6 New Jersey cities. From home services to salaries, see how NJ stacks up against the national average.
6
Cities
117
Avg Cost Index
$45K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
New Jersey's average cost index is 117, which is above the national baseline of 100. Trenton is the most affordable tracked city in NJ at index 105, while Jersey City is the most expensive at index 135.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 30 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
New Jersey Highlights: Most affordable city: Trenton (index 105). Most expensive: Jersey City (index 135). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 30 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
117/100
New Jersey is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Trenton
Trenton has a cost index of 105.
Most expensive
Jersey City
Jersey City has a cost index of 135.
Income average
$45K
Average median household income across 6 tracked NJ cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in New Jersey
New Jersey State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in New Jersey.
State Income Tax
1.4-10.75%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
6.63%
6.625% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
2.46%
~$7,380/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: New Jersey uses a progressive income tax at 1.4-10.75%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Trenton if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside New Jersey.
- Compare Jersey City against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.