Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
Jersey City is 17% more affordable than Brooklyn. A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn is equivalent to $62,308 in Jersey City.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · New Jersey salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while Jersey City sits at 249 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $540,000 in Jersey City, a difference of $240,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $2,600 in Jersey City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Brooklyn scores 108 while Jersey City scores 105.
Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are higher than Jersey City (106).
Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $80,820 in Jersey City. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Jersey City.
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