CostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Jersey City, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Austin is moderately cheaper than Jersey City — 14.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $91,800 in Jersey City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+23.4%
Austin
120.4
Jersey City
148.6
🛒 Groceries+17.6%
Austin
93.8
Jersey City
110.3
🚗 Transportation+9.9%
Austin
101.1
Jersey City
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+10.0%
Austin
91.4
Jersey City
100.5
Utilities+54.9%
Austin
82
Jersey City
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Jersey City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Jersey City, NJ
$91,800
$11,800 more needed in Jersey City

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 1.1478. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Jersey City, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Jersey City has 23.4% higher housing costs compared to Austin.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Jersey City, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
292,449
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTechnologyRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Jersey City, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.