City Comparison

Davenport vs Jersey City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

Jersey City

New Jersey
162
Very Expensive
$540,000
Median Home
$2,600/mo
Median Rent
$80,820
Median Income

The Verdict

48.8%

Living in Davenport costs 48.8% less than Jersey City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Davenport, you would need $146,386 in Jersey City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Davenport
249
Jersey City
Groceries
97
Davenport
105
Jersey City
Utilities
83
Davenport
128
Jersey City
Transportation
105
Davenport
121
Jersey City
Healthcare
97
Davenport
106
Jersey City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $146,386 in Jersey City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Jersey City equals $38,426 in Davenport.

Living in Davenport vs Jersey City

Housing Costs

Davenport's housing index of 60 is lower Jersey City's 249, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $540,000. The $328,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $2,600/mo in Jersey City, a monthly difference of $1,700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 105 in Jersey City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $499/month in Jersey City. Davenport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 128 in Jersey City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $512 in Jersey City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport and 106 in Jersey City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $80,820 in Jersey City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $49,889 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,886/month in Jersey City. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Jersey City, median rent of $2,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 189 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport is 48.8% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 162.
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $146,386 in Jersey City, based on the cost of living difference.
Davenport's housing index is 60 with median homes at $212,000, while Jersey City's is 249 with median homes at $540,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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