CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Jersey City, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Dayton is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 21.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $97,200 in Jersey City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+104.4%
Dayton
72.7
Jersey City
148.6
🛒 Groceries+17.8%
Dayton
93.6
Jersey City
110.3
🚗 Transportation+6.9%
Dayton
103.9
Jersey City
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+6.9%
Dayton
94
Jersey City
100.5
Utilities+33.1%
Dayton
95.4
Jersey City
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jersey City, NJ
$97,200
$17,200 more needed in Jersey City

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.2147. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dayton, OH

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

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 104.4% higher housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Dayton, OH

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
137,630
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareMilitaryEducationGovernment

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).

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.